More than 60% of registered Nigerian doctors have relocated abroad in search of greener pastures and are practicing their profession.
State Governors under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, have expressed concern over the prevalence of brain drain in the health sector.
Recently, there has been an upsurge of medical doctors migrating abroad in search of greener pastures and better living standards. But Nigerian governors have now raised alarm over the prevailing trend.
Sokoto State Governor and Chairman of the Forum; Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, pointed out the forum’s fears when he paid a visit to Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, in Abuja.
Tambuwal said the Governors were worried over the mass exodus and brain drain, urging the federal government to ramp up the drive to realize the 25 percent needed to ensure universal healthcare coverage for all Nigerians under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The Governor said: “We are witnessing brain drain over the years. It is alarming and I believe it has something to do with the welfare of medical personnel.
“I urge the federal government to do something about this urgently.”
The Governor also added that the forum is working towards building a resilient healthcare platform committed to routine immunization and eradicating polio.
The daily migration of Nigerian doctors comes at great costs for the country. There is one doctor for about 4,000 Nigerians at the moment. With more doctors heading abroad, that statistic would only get worse by the day.