There has been a reported massive brain drain in the Nigerian medical sector in recent years as many medical doctors are said to be leaving the country on daily basis. The reports say Nigerian doctors have been migrating to US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the UK and many other nations across the globe.
Although relevant medical agencies in Nigeria have not provided official data on emigrant doctors, but statistics from General Medical Council in the UK, in January 2018 showed that about five thousand Nigerian doctors are working in the UK. This is said to be about two per cent of the total of the UK’s medical workforce.
At its meeting in Lagos last Wednesday, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, decried the trend, warning of its negative effects on the health sector. The association blamed the shortage of doctors in most private and public hospitals on the ugly trend.
The NMA also worries that the ratio of medical practitioners to patients in the country is very low. Official records show that Nigeria currently has one doctor to attend to about 3, 500 patients in the country, which is far below the one doctor to 600 patients recommended by the World Health Organization, WHO.
Nigerian doctors working in their home environment admit that the situation of doctors migrating from the country is worrisome, although many feel that it is a matter of individual choice.
The UK usually opens its borders to Commonwealth countries and allows professionals from abroad to have adequate information about the working conditions and welfare package available there, which could attract many of them to move.
UK officials had advised their former colonies to take measures against losing their professionals in the wake of the drive to go to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, which is like a stepping stone. Majority of those who go to Arab countries aim to enter the US, UK, Australia, Canada and other European countries which have better job opportunities.
