The newly elected Chairman of the Edo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Eustace Oseghale has lamented the way Nigerian doctors are leaving the nation in droves saying the government at every level must do everything humanly possible to reverse the trend before the country goes into a catastrophic healthcare crisis.
Dr Oseghale, a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) who spoke to journalists in Benin City shortly after taking over at the end of the association’s 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, said that the unacceptable and pitiable level of job satisfaction caused by poor healthcare system in the Edo State healthcare sector and in Nigeria in general were responsible for the frightening brain drain in the country’s health sector.
Oseghale noted that the country has lost many of its best brains to other countries especially the UK, Middle East, Canada and America where remuneration differentials and better working conditions and facilities have contributed to the mass emigration of skilled medical professionals out of the country.
“The health crisis in our country is getting worse and government at every level is playing the ostrich. While it took the country several decades to partially recover from the mass exodus of doctors in the 80s, we may not fully recover from the current one if urgent steps are not taken to reverse the distressing trend.
“Several doctors resign from public health institutions every day in Edo State and in the country and we need to redefine our approach to healthcare delivery, management of healthcare institutions and enabling the private sector a prominent place in our healthcare delivery in order to mitigate the effects of the medical brain drain”, he said.
He pledged to collaborate with the Edo State government in ensuring industrial harmony, resolving the problems of manpower shortages in the state hospitals, and ensuring a conductive working environment for all doctors in the state.
Other leaders elected at the conference include Dr John-Blaze Oamen as Deputy Chairman, Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun as Secretary, Dr Humphrey Aghaowa as Deputy Secretary, Dr Elamah Ikpeminoghena as Treasurer, Dr Aletor Ijegede as Financial Secretary and Dr Duke Udekhru as Public Relations Officer
The newly elected team will lead the association’s activities from 2024 to 2026, after which another set of leadership will emerge.