Chijioke Iremeka
Some stakeholders in the health sector say the approved National Policy on Health Workforce Migration by President Bola Tinubu will reduce the continued exodus of Nigerian health workers abroad popularly known as the japa syndrome.
The doctors described the new policy as a positive step towards rebuilding Nigeria’s healthcare system and improving its health indices if effectively implemented.
Tinubu, on Monday, approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to address the continued exodus of Nigerian health workers abroad.
The policy, announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, on his X handle on Tuesday, aims to woo an estimated 12,400 Nigerian-trained doctors practising abroad.
Pate said the policy signed by the President was more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals but a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health workers’ migration.
Reacting to the policy in separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the stakeholders expressed optimism that the new policy could mitigate the adverse effects of the japa syndrome, which they said had significantly impacted hospital services across the country.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Abia State chapter, Dr. Isaiah Abali, said that the policy could discourage japa syndrome among health workers.
Abali commended the President’s commitment to enhancing the country’s health sector, noting that the new policy could discourage healthcare professionals from migrating abroad.
The physician also lauded Tinubu for taking a bold step to reverse the trend and shift the narrative within the healthcare system, provided that the approved measures meet the needs of the sector and healthcare professionals.
He said, “It is a positive development because our health is paramount. If we sit idly and allow the sector to deteriorate, we could reach a point where even those not directly involved in healthcare seek to leave the country because they can’t access adequate care anymore.
“They would seek better living conditions abroad, which would negatively impact the country, as a healthy nation is a prosperous nation. I appreciate the President for this initiative.
“However, while I commend him, the real challenge lies in implementing the policy. We need to assess how it will be executed following this approval.
“Once the policy document is available, I may have additional comments. It’s important to recognise that financial incentives alone are insufficient; a supportive and positive working environment is also essential.”
Many Nigerian healthcare workers leave the country for greener pastures, leaving their colleagues to contend with additional workload and extended call hours.
The push factors, according to them, are inadequate equipment, worsening insecurity, poor working conditions, and poor salary structure.
Also, a past President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. John Onyebueze, said the policy alone might not stop health workers from traveling abroad if it fails to address key issues such as insecurity, inadequate work environments, and economic instability in the country.
Onyebueze said he was yet to see the policy and therefore would not comment on it much.
He, however, said, “The key issue is for the government to implement the policy effectively. We have often seen the government introduce paper policies only executed on newspaper pages but never implemented in reality.
“Moreover, Nigerians have shown incredible resilience and belief in the potential of this country. Despite poor working conditions, many were willing to stay and contribute.
“However, when insecurity became a significant factor, it prompted a substantial increase in the number of people seeking opportunities abroad.”
“You can finish a discussion with a colleague, only to hear moments later that the person has been kidnapped. Insecurity is a major factor driving people away. Without addressing the security challenge, and working environment among others, the policy alone won’t be enough to make Nigerians stay.”
As of December 3, 2023, the number of Nigerian-trained doctors licensed to practice in the UK was now 12,198, according to data from the General Medical Council in the UK.
Also, no fewer than 281 Nigerian doctors are working in other African countries, according to the data obtained from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in 2023.
The MDCN data showed that 153 Nigerian doctors are practicing in Sudan; followed by South Africa with 41 doctors; Egypt 17; Ghana 17; Uganda 13; Gambia – seven.
Others are Lesotho -six; Cameroon – four; Namibia -four; Algeria -two; Ethiopia -two; Kenya -two; Liberia -two; Benin -one; Botswana -one; Equatorial Guinea -one; Niger -one; Rwanda -one; Sierra Leone -one; Seychelles -one; South Sudan -one; Tanzania -one; Togo -one; and Zambia -one.
So far, a total of 13,656 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives are practicing in the United Kingdom.
This is according to the latest report on the number of nursing and midwifery professionals on the Nursing and Midwifery Council register as of March 31, 2024.
The report also showed that Nigeria is one of the top non-UK countries of education as of March 2024, and the number of Nigerian nurses and midwives practicing in the UK increased by 28.3 per cent in one year.
Other top non-UK countries of education as of March 2024, compared to last year are India (62,413), Philippines (49,092), Romania (7,378), and Ghana (5,536).
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