In recent times, thousands of medical doctors in Nigeria have reportedly left the country to the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), United Arab Emirates (UAE) and some European countries due to poor working conditions. This mass exodus of doctors from Nigeria has further added to the country’s healthcare burden mainly by shortage of professionals and lack of facilities.The source appealed to the government to improve remuneration and social support for doctors, improve infrastructures in hospitals, hire more doctors and invest in insurance schemes.“These are healthcare professionals who have dedicated so many years of their lives and resources to becoming what they are. Like the average human, they have families and projects to take care of. They deserve a better life too,” he said.“The main thing that needs to be addressed immediately is the general welfare of doctors. A befitting compensation, healthy working conditions and incentives for returning doctors would be a good place to start from,” he added.“Nigeria produces doctors every year but they don’t get jobs; they just try and get their masters and then japa (migrate).
“Many of the doctors we have own private hospitals. Even when they are at work, they still get emergency calls from their private hospitals and they will rush down to attend to them.
“The government doesn’t pay doctors well. Why are politicians not leaving the country to go and practice elsewhere? If you are well paid, you won’t think of leaving the country to work abroad. If doctors are getting good treatment here in terms of welfare, the majority of them will not travel abroad.”