In the face of a troubling brain drain crisis, the Nigerian government has taken a significant step to combat the mass exodus of healthcare professionals to developed countries. This phenomenon has created a dire shortage of health workers within the nation's healthcare sector. In a circular dated 5th October, issued by the Federal Ministry of Health, the government has approved contract appointments for retired healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and other clinical professionals, as a means to alleviate this critical issue.
The brain drain crisis has been a longstanding concern for Nigeria. Talented healthcare professionals have been leaving the country in pursuit of better opportunities abroad, resulting in a severe shortage of skilled personnel in the nation's health sector. A recent 2022 UK immigration report revealed that a staggering 13,609 Nigerian healthcare workers, including doctors, were granted working visas in the past year, making Nigeria second only to India in this regard.
The consequences of this exodus are profound. As of October 2022, the Nigeria Medical Association disclosed that only 24,000 licensed medical doctors were available in the country. In some southern states, the ratio stands at one doctor for every 30,000 patients, while in the north, it's even more dire, with one doctor for every 45,000 patients. Tragically, the strain on healthcare workers has resulted in unfortunate incidents, including the recent death of a medical doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital attributed to stress.
In a bid to address this crisis, the Nigerian government has introduced a policy that allows healthcare professionals to continue contributing to the healthcare system after reaching their compulsory retirement age or years of service. These healthcare workers can now be offered contract appointments, receiving salaries equivalent to those they retired on, provided they desire and merit it.
However, this move comes with certain expectations. The circular emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to exhibit greater patriotism in the discharge of their duties and avoid actions that could disrupt the healthcare system. It also calls for the establishment of an effective performance management system to enhance work ethics among medical officers, consultants, and doctors.
The circular recognizes that simply increasing the retirement age was not the solution to the brain drain issue, as it primarily stemmed from financial considerations and unfavorable working conditions. Some state governments had already increased the retirement age for medical doctors and health workers, yet this had failed to curb the trend.
Nigeria's healthcare sector faces a daunting challenge with the brain drain crisis. By approving contract appointments for retired healthcare workers, the government aims to retain experienced professionals and bridge the critical gap in healthcare services. This initiative, combined with a renewed focus on work ethics and patriotism, represents a step toward a more sustainable and robust healthcare system in Nigeria. However, addressing the root causes of the brain drain, such as improving working conditions and financial incentives, remains a vital task on the nation's healthcare agenda.