One of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector is the migration of personnel in search of a better life. This, to some, translates to higher salaries, access to advanced technology and favourable government policies.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Nigeria is one of the three leading African countries where physicians leave for foreign jobs.
BattaFiles understands that the development has led to a massive drop in the quality of healthcare service being enjoyed by citizens of the country.
Narrating his ordeal, Stephen Enoch, a resident doctor who works at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said he is considering leaving Nigeria.
“The challenge is that we go on strike often even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I advised a patient to go to a private hospital when he called me at the time because the emergency unit in FMC Abeokuta can’t admit patients to a ward.”
During the strike period, Enoch said he was consulting for private hospitals. But this was not a privilege every doctor has.
“There is no motivation from the government and even the citizens do not really care about us. Despite COVID-19 and other dangers we are exposed to, our hazard allowance was just N5,000.”
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He lamented that having spent several years as an undergraduate and postgraduate student, the Nigerian government makes him think he wasted his time studying medicine.
“Even our salaries are not regular and as many people continue to leave the country, the workload on those of us left behind increases. No one can guarantee his or her prospects as a medical doctor in Nigeria.
“My family members think I am rich as a medical practitioner but I am suffering in silence. I am expected to travel nationwide on fully sponsored trips to write examinations but that is not the case in Nigeria.
“Between 2014 and 2016, there are two years of arrears not paid and many of the people have even passed residency but they still need to be paid because they work for it.”
To satisfy the needs of his family, Enoch told BattaFiles that he will be proud to join doctors leaving Nigeria for other countries.
“From my experience, nine out of every 10 doctors want to leave. Since we are not appreciated here, it is not a crime to go to where our efforts will be applauded.
Despite contrary evidence, ex-employment minister Chris Ngige said Nigeria has surplus doctors, an indication that authorities do not care about the challenges in the health sector.
