Six out of ten doctors in the nation intend to relocate to countries with more favourable medical conditions, according to the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
This information comes right after it was revealed that there are only 12,297 resident doctors working at the nation’s tertiary federal and state healthcare facilities.
Specifically, the NARD President, Dr Dare Ishaya, disclosed this on Monday, Aigust 29, 2022.
Ishaya said, “As of the last time we issued the questionnaire, we found that out of 10 resident doctors, six of them are planning to leave or have the intention to leave.
“The statistics we had then was in December 2021. So, it’s either they are planning to leave or they have thought of leaving.”
But while identifying the reasons behind the development, Ishaya said; “As we speak, I am aware that a lot of my colleagues are working towards leaving the country; and there are a lot of factors responsible for that. The push factor is majorly the economy.
“Of course, you will agree with me that we are having inflation in the country…the rate at which our naira is being devalued is alarming…compare our pay with the pay where most of these health workers go; you will discover that what we earn here is not up to one-tenth of what they get practising there.
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“As long as these factors exist, our members and other health workers will continue to seek greener pastures; except if things are done to reverse them.”
According to Ishaya, there are now only 9,297 resident doctors in the FTHI and 2,000 to 3,000 in the STHI.
The Nigerian Medical Association also warned that if the doctors leave, the brain-drain already evident in the nation will worsen.
Last week, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, says there are actually enough medical doctors in the country. In addition, he said that the Federal Government is working toward replacing any medical doctor who resigns and leaves the country.
