Nigeria’s healthcare sector continues to battle with mind drain as hundreds of docs depart the nation for higher alternatives overseas.
In response to a 2022 report from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the nation had 55,000 licensed docs serving a inhabitants of over 200 million, a ratio far under the World Well being Group (WHO) advice.
Lagos State had the best quantity with 7,385 registered docs, adopted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 4,453. Different states with vital numbers included Rivers (2,194), Enugu (2,070), Oyo (1,996), and Edo (1,777). Kano, one in all Nigeria’s most populous states, had 1,477 docs, a determine deemed inadequate given its healthcare calls for.
Regardless of these numbers, the exodus of medical personnel has severely impacted Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, revealed that round 16,000 docs left the nation within the final 5 years, with one other 17,000 transferred. Between 2015 and 2022, over 5,000 Nigerian docs migrated to the UK alone.
In an effort to handle the healthcare workforce scarcity, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has granted automated employment to 54 postgraduate college students who just lately returned from India after finishing their research in health-related fields.
Talking on the occasion, Governor Yusuf assured the graduates that each one obligatory preparations had been finalized to soak up them into the state civil service to strengthen Kano’s well being sector.
“For excelling in your research, now we have made all obligatory preparations to give you automated employment throughout the Kano State Civil Service. In a short time, your appointment letters will likely be issued to you thru the Ministry of Well being in collaboration with the Head of Service,” the governor acknowledged.
Governor Yusuf urged the graduates to use the experience they acquired overseas to enhance healthcare providers, significantly in lowering maternal mortality and addressing sickle cell anemia.
“What surprises me is seeing people who benefitted from authorities sponsorships depart their state to work elsewhere as an alternative of contributing to their state’s improvement. We attraction to you to deliver your wealth of information and experience to enhance the lives of our folks, particularly girls,” he emphasised.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the consequences of mind drain within the well being sector, Kano State’s proactive strategy presents a possible mannequin for different states looking for to retain expert medical professionals.
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