Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, Prof. Emem Bassey, has revealed that Nigerian doctors and health workers are now leaving in droves to seek greener pastures in countries like Sierra Leone and The Gambia, a situation he laments has put the health sector of Nigeria in jeopardy.
Bassey, who appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing employment racketeering in Federal Government agencies on Wednesday, said other African countries were now poaching Nigerian medical doctors and health professionals due to poor remuneration and conditions of service they were subjected to in Nigeria.
While addressing the members of the Committee led by Yusuf Gagdi, Bassey said:
“Some African countries are beginning to poach from Nigeria. The West Coast is looking for our specialists. So many people are now going to places like Sierra Leone and Gambia, and the wage they earn is about $3000, $4000. It is about three to four times what they earn back home.”
Explaining further, Bassey told lawmakers:
“What we are seeing is that medical specialists, not just doctors, in fact, even more nurses, are leaving. Doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers and all manner of health professionals are leaving the country in droves.
“That is part of the problem we are facing. Replacement of these health workers is a very major challenge. This is because even though we are usually granted approvals to recruit, getting the waivers is a tortuous process.
“Due to the urgency involved in replacing health professionals that leave, it is difficult to comply with federal character in recruitments”.
The Committee Chairman, who also lamented the situation, urged Nigerian doctors to be patriotic by staying back to contribute to the development of the country.
“I admit there is a lack of advanced medical facilities in our health sector. This is a fact, and we must, as a government, pay attention to that. Where we are confused is the aspect of lack of patriotism. You were produced by Nigerian institutions.
“We would review your submissions entirely. These institutions that have pending recruitment cases, we would interface with them uniquely,” Gagdi promised.