Medical brain drain, a combination of internal, external factors-Dr. Ebirim

Many health workers, especially medical doctors, are gradually exiting the country, leaving the doctor to patient ratio at one to ten thousand as against the recommendation of the World Health Organization, which is one to one thousand.

Nigeria has recorded the largest number of foreign medical doctors working in the United Kingdom after India and Pakistan.
Reports say that at least five thousand qualified Nigerian doctors have moved to the United Kingdom in the last eight years due to poor working conditions and low remuneration. Sadly, this is occurring at a time when the country’s population is on the increase and many Nigerians suffer to receive basic health care attention.

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Discussing how the issue of brain drain in Nigeria, medical doctor and public health physician, Dr. Obinna Ebirim said the low doctor to patient ratio the country is experiencing is the reality of what is happening.

According to him, health practioners and consultants are leaving in drones to popular countries such as Canada, UK, US and others.

“Among those left in the country, about 30 to 50% are either waiting for their KR status or waiting to be enlisted for the residency program in the US or trying to finalise the processing of their papers to go to the UK.

“It is a serious situation because you need these medical professionals to care for the populace, and when they are leaving in their numbers, it portends a serious danger to the health system of any country.

Dr Ebirim argued that, the issue of salaries is not the only reason why these medical personnel are leaving, according to him, this is an internal reason, there are external factors as well.

He added that the brain drain in the health sector is just one of the symptoms of the state of affairs of the nation.

Speaking on the issue of remuneration on TVC Breakfast, Dr Ebirim said medical personnel apart from not being well paid, they lacked necessary diagnostic tools to practice the profession.

He added that most times, Doctors, Nurses fund bills of patients who are unable to pay after being treated and are held back.

He decried the lack of social amenities that can cushion the effect of expenditure to live the minimum standard lifestyle.

The issue of insecurity according to the medical practioner was also another factor to be considered as there have been stories of doctors being kidnapped or their family being kidnapped.

“The state of health system and other social factors makes it difficult.

“Practicing medicine in a public health system in Nigeria is very frustrating as you have to improvise sometimes.

“Looking at our colleagues in other climes, earnings and the quality of life they have, you can’t but be tempted to go to those countries to practice as well.

“Even if you are so patronic and passionate about your country, you still have to deal wih the issue of insecurity, and not forgetting the high cost of items, children education and the likes.

Preferring solutions on the issue of brain drain, Dr Ebirim stated that apart salary

He stated that apart from increment in salaries for medical personnel, issues such as social amenities, proper work tools, conducive environment, quality standard of living, insecurity and others have to be put in place to ensure the medical personnel is adequately protected.

Dr Ebirim said, with the current challenges faced in the country, Nigeria’s growing population will require more health care professionals which might not be readily available.

This would result in people dying, a decrease in life expectancy, and the loss of your workforce. You’re spending more overall because you can’t provide quality health care to your people.”

“This is an imminent danger, the situation will get worse unless something miraculous happens”

Dr Ebirim who stated that he didn’t want to sound political pointed out that what is currently happening might be a leadership problem. Leadership that cuts across all sectors.

According to him, if Nigeria has the right leadership, the health sector will be fixed, increase remuneration of workers and others.

“There is no priority amongst leadership, we also have years of lack of prioritisation of the health of the nation and also years of corruption and mismanagement in the health sector.

“If we get the leadership right, we will get other things right.

“We need to invest more in health, making sure the money is judiciously used efficiently and effectively utilised.

Dr Ebirim said he is well aware of the long hours Nigerian medical professionals put in abroad, he said even at that they are well paid and they can afford to care for their families and themselves.

He added that the country should do well to strengthen the health system, increase absorptive capacity, ensure and improve fundamentals so that the brightest brains and minds can be retained.