How African countries lure Nigerian doctors with $4000 pay

Professor Emem Bassey, the Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, has raised the alarm that Nigeria is experiencing a concerning exodus of its medical doctors and other healthcare professionals to other African countries. Bassey revealed that countries such as Sierra Leone and Gambia are enticing Nigerian medical professionals with offers ranging from $3,000 to $4,000, a striking three to four times more than their earnings in Nigeria.

Speaking before the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating employment racketeering in Federal Government agencies, Bassey, who is also the CMD of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, highlighted the ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s health sector due to the mass departure of healthcare workers. He pointed out that doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, and other health professionals are leaving the country in significant numbers.

The chairman stressed that the immediate replacement of these departing health professionals presents a major challenge. Obtaining recruitment waivers and complying with federal character requirements becomes even more difficult due to the urgency of the situation.

Bassey also shed light on past governments’ practices of hastily reaching unfeasible agreements to quell strikes. He emphasized the importance of avoiding strikes and called for genuine negotiations to address the concerns of the healthcare workforce.

In response, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, urged medical professionals to exhibit patriotism by choosing to contribute to Nigeria’s development, even in the face of tempting offers abroad. He pledged the committee’s commitment to addressing the issue of staffing imbalances in the health sector while taking federal character principles into account.

Gagdi acknowledged the lack of advanced medical facilities in the country’s health sector and urged medical professionals to consider their role in giving back to the society that nurtured their skills. He encouraged them to serve their own country and collaborate to find solutions to the challenges facing the healthcare system.

In conclusion, Gagdi assured the medical professionals that the committee would carefully review their submissions and recommendations, expressing the intention to take actions that would benefit the nation’s healthcare sector as a whole.