Over 16,000 Nigerian Doctors Have Migrated Abroad in Recent Years, Warns Health Minister
Prof. Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, revealed that more than 16,000 doctors have left the country over the past five to seven years in search of better opportunities overseas. Speaking at the seventh annual capacity-building workshop of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) in Abuja, he highlighted the serious implications of healthcare professional migration on the nation’s healthcare system.
The current doctor-to-population ratio in Nigeria stands at just 3.9 per 10,000 people—significantly below the recommended global minimum—and Pate indicated that this figure is worsening due to the exodus of healthcare workers. In addition to doctors, the country has also seen a depletion in the ranks of nurses and midwives, exacerbating the healthcare crisis in rural and underserved communities.
Pate emphasized that the flight of healthcare professionals is not a new phenomenon, but it has intensified in recent years, driven by the lure of better economic prospects, improved working conditions, and enhanced training and research facilities abroad. He stated, “This trend not only represents a talent loss but also a significant fiscal drop, considering that training a single doctor costs over $21,000. This represents a substantial loss of public investment and negatively impacts our health systems.”
In addressing the migration issue, Pate called for a re-evaluation of policies governing the healthcare workforce. He expressed optimism regarding the strategic direction under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has been appointed as the African Union’s Continental Champion for Human Resources for Health. “Our aim is to establish Nigeria as a thriving hub, interconnected with neighboring countries, rather than operating in isolation,” said Pate, referencing the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
He introduced the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, describing it as a framework designed to respect the rights of healthcare professionals seeking opportunities abroad while ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s health system. This policy seeks to retain healthcare workers by improving their working conditions, establishing ethical recruitment norms, enhancing training capacities, and implementing structured reintegration programs for those who have left Nigeria.
Pate also urged African nations to collaborate on creating a comprehensive global framework for health workforce mobility, which would include shared training standards, planning tools, and negotiations with countries that attract these professionals.
The President of AMCOA, Prof. Joel Okullo, emphasized the importance of inter-African collaboration to address persistent healthcare challenges. He expressed hope that the workshop’s outcomes would yield actionable strategies to elevate healthcare services across the continent. “Our discussions will provide insights to bolster the capabilities of health regulators,” he stated, highlighting the workshop’s focus on managing health workforce mobility and improving data management systems.
Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, welcomed participants and noted the significance of hosting Nigeria’s inaugural AMCOA workshop. Meanwhile, Prof. Afolabi Lesi, Board Chairperson of the Medical and Dental Council, stressed the urgency for healthcare regulators to maintain global standards while adapting to local contexts.
Lesi acknowledged the challenges posed by fragmented professional relationships that hinder cohesive implementation and negatively affect patient care. He remarked, “While governance structures outline clear objectives, real progress is often impeded by divided relationships among healthcare workers, who need to unite with patient welfare as their primary focus.”
This gathering aims to promote collaboration and strategize for the future, fostering transformative changes across Africa’s healthcare landscape.
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