The Nigerian government is taking concrete steps to address the crippling shortage of medical doctors in the country, exacerbated by the “Japa syndrome” – a colloquial term describing the mass exodus of healthcare professionals seeking greener pastures abroad.
Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, has assured Nigerians that efforts are underway to train more healthcare personnel, bridging the gap created by the departure of thousands of doctors. This initiative involves collaboration between the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and Federal Medical Center Bida, aiming to establish a Faculty of Medical Sciences and Health Technology.
With an estimated 94,000 doctors and nurses having left Nigeria between 2020 and 2025, the country faces a daunting doctor-to-population ratio of 1:9,083, far below the WHO’s recommended 1:1,000. Lagos State, for instance, grapples with a deficit of 33,000 healthcare professionals.
To curb this brain drain, the government has launched initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Medic City, offering affordable housing to healthcare workers. The National Policy on Health Workforce Migration aims to improve welfare, provide incentives, and create special mortgage facilities for medical professionals.
The road to recovery won’t be easy, but with strategic planning and implementation, Nigeria hopes to not only stem the tide but also become a hub for quality healthcare in the region.
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