Brain-drain: Nigeria has lost over 35,000 doctors in 20 years - Medical expert
- Over 35,000 Nigerian doctors have moved abroad to practice, according to a medical practitioner, Dr Imafidon Osama Agbonile
- Agbonile said United Kingdom register of doctors revealed that Nigerians are the fourth largest doctors in the country since 2017
- The medical doctor blamed poor working conditions, terrible remuneration, and lack of opportunity for research as some of the cause for the development
A medical practitioner, Dr Imafidon Osama Agbonile, on Sunday, June 23, revealed that over 35,000 Nigerian doctors have left for United States (US), European and Asian countries to continue their practice.
Agbonile said because of that, every 5,000 Nigerian has less than one doctor to them which is very against the recommendation of World Health Organisation (WHO) of one doctor to 600 people, Daily Trust reports.
The doctor made this known during his lecture titled Panacea for Brain Drain in Nigeria, during a conference organised by the Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) in Edo state.
READ ALSO: My predecessor spent N2.3billion on burials - Bauchi governor alleges
He said the migration crisis is even becoming more terrible as between 40 to 60% of medical graduates from Nigeria now practice in foreign countries.
“From the various researches carried out, it is estimated that over 35,000 doctors have emigrated from Nigeria in the last 20 years. The rate of migration has trippled since 2015.
“Also, the United Kingdom register of doctors revealed that Nigerians are the fourth largest doctors in the country since 2017,” he said.
Agbonile blamed the situation on terrible working environment, poor salary, inadequate opportunity for research, bad leadership, and horrible government policies among others.
The doctor also added that Nigeria has the highest level of death rate for both communicable and non-communicable diseases, calling on governments to improve healthcare delivery.
PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update
Recall that the minister of labour and employment, Dr Chris Ngige, had said there is nothing wrong in some medical doctors travelling out of Nigeria in search of greener pastures because the country has enough.
The minister disagreed with the popular notion that the country does not have enough doctors.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) --> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better
N1,500 for health of Nigerians | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
