NOIPolls raises alarm over increasing brain drain in medical sector

Result of polls by the Nigerian polling organisation, NOIPolls, has raised alarm over increasing brain drain in the Nigerian medical profession, as the report indicates over eight out of every 10 (88%) medical doctors are currently seeking work opportunities abroad.
The polls that was in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) ‎noted this finding cuts across junior, mid and senior level doctors in both public and private medical institutions, such as house officers, corps members, medical and senior medical officer, residents, registrars, consultants and medical directors.
“It is worrisome, interestingly, the United Kingdom and the United States are the top destinations (with 93% and US 86%), where Nigerian medical doctors seek work opportunities. Consequently, many Nigerian doctors are currently registered to write foreign medical exams such as PLAB for the UK (30%), USMLE for the United States (30%), MCCE for Canada (15%), AMC for Australia (15%) and DHA for Dubai (10%) among others,” CEO of NOIPolls, Bell Ihua, said at a press briefing in Abuja.
“Further findings revealed that the reasons for the looming brain drain in the health sector include challenges such as high taxes and deduction from salary (98%), low work satisfaction (92%), poor salaries and emoluments (91%) and the huge knowledge gap that exists in the medical practice abroad (47%), among others.”
According to Ihua, “These were some of the key findings from the survey and we hope these findings would help stimulate conversations amongst stakeholders in the country’s health sector and trigger much needed reforms to redesign of a health system that is responsive to the healthcare needs of the nation.
“This survey also seeks to sound an alarm of a looming brain drain in the country’s health sector if nothing is done urgently to curb this rising trend of emigration of healthcare practitioners – physicians, nurses, pharmacist, and laboratory scientists among others.
“Nigeria has about 72,000 medical doctors registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, with only approximately 35,000 practicing in Nigeria.
“But the emigration of the Nigerian healthcare workforce, particularly medical doctors has been a lingering problem in the country.
“The findings are critical to the ability of the health system to retain adequate skilled personnel to cope with Nigeria’s growing population.”
The survey was targeted at Nigerian medical doctors, and it involved a mixed methodology approach employing quantitative and qualitative methods. For the quantitative method, an online survey using a standardised, well-structured questionnaire was employed; and a semi-structured interview guide was utilized for the qualitative approach.
The various cadres of doctors were captured in both the quantitative and qualitative methods. Respondents to the online survey were not limited by geographical location, although the in-depth interviews were conducted with medical doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ihua noted that, Nigeria’s National Population Commission (NPC) has projected current population to be about 182 million at a 3.5% growth rate from the 2006 census. This means we need about 303,333 medical doctors now, and at least 10,605 new doctors annually to join the workforce. Only at this level can we expect good quality patient care that is not compromised by errors occasioned by fatigued and overworked medical doctors.
‎He said at least 10 out of the 26 doctors interviewed mentioned Low work satisfaction as the foremost reason making doctors pursue work opportunities abroad. Many even placed low work satisfaction above poor remuneration, which was the second most prevalent reason cited for making doctors seek work opportunities abroad in the in-depth interviews conducted.
Work opportunities came in third with at least 4 in 26 respondents citing work opportunity as the most prevalent reason, because doctors who are unable to secure a good job to cater for themselves and the family will be forced to source for better opportunities.
“Many recalled the harsh working conditions they experienced during their internship. One doctor told how he worked day after day, without relief, for two months straight as a House Officer.”
CEO of NHW, Ifeanyi Nsorfor, said it was unfortunate that Nigerian doctors are poorly paid, no modern equipment and are over worked.
“The Federal Government needs to increase the budgetary allocation given to health sector. You go to some states they employed some foreigners where they pay them better than their Nigeria counterparts. Go to our primary health centres, there are no equipment.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is being treated presently abroad because the sector isn’t trusted to treat him.”