Bukola Afeni
Amina Bako, a dedicated 35-year-old nurse, spent a decade serving Nigeria’s healthcare system, only to be driven out by poverty-level wages and unpaid contracts. Despite her passion for caring for others, Amina found herself forced to abandon her homeland in search of a decent living.
She joined the growing ranks of Nigeria’s medical professionals fleeing to Europe, seeking refuge from a system that failed to value their skills and sacrifice.
As Amina’s story echoes the struggles of countless others, Nigeria’s healthcare system teeters on the brink of collapse. The brain drain of medical talent threatens to exacerbate the already dire shortages in hospitals and clinics nationwide. Through Amina’s journey, the article shed light on the human cost of neglecting the country’s healthcare workforce and the imperative for urgent reform.
The world faces a crisis as health workers flee their home countries in search of better opportunities, leaving behind a crippling shortage of skilled medical professionals.
In 2020, the global stock of 65.1 million health workers was distributed unequally, with low-income countries bearing the brunt of the shortage, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
Nigeria, a developing country, is also witnessing a large episode of migration of health workers.
A staggering 6.5-fold difference in density exists between high-income and low-income countries, exacerbating the problem, the global health body notes.
Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Ghana are among the leading suppliers of nurses to the UK, after the Philippines and India.
Recently, at a two-day capacity workshop for health journalists, WHO Technical Officer Dr. Muyiwa Ojo called on the government and stakeholders to urgently address the migration of health workers in the country.
He added that the migration of health workers prevents citizens from enjoying quality healthcare services, posing a great crisis in the health sector.
While speaking about the brain drain in the health sector, Dr. Ojo urged the government to increase the remuneration of health workers.
“We are losing our nurses in high numbers. This is a sad situation, affecting our health indices. The lower number of skilled birth attendants will affect our maternal mortality rate.”
The Technical Officer noted that the continent may experience a staggering 5.3 million health worker shortage by 2030, accounting for half of the global shortage.
“The health sector is witnessing a large number of unemployment. We need to provide jobs for those entering the sector to prevent mass exodus,” he said.
Dr. Ojo added that the brain drain has severe consequences for the nation. “Some effects are either long-term or short-term, affecting the quality of care citizens can access. It also results in economic loss to the country.”
He stated that the “Japa syndrome” has led to increased medical tourism.
“Most influential Nigerians resort to leaving the country to treat themselves and their immediate families, spending large amounts on travel to access the best health facilities. This is saddening and discouraging.”
Unattractive remuneration is a major factor driving many health workers away.
“Health workers have to work long hours without adequate compensation. They end up working multiple shifts to make ends meet.”
Lack of capacity development is another major issue discouraging health workers from giving their best.
To address this crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment of Health Personnel in 2010.
The code establishes principles and practices for ethical international recruitment, strengthens legal and institutional frameworks, supports bilateral and international agreements, promotes voluntary principles and practices, and balances individual health rights.
The WHO has made significant progress, with 64 countries incorporating code provisions into national law, policy, or international bilateral agreements. However, more efforts are needed to address the root causes of health worker migration and ensure equitable distribution of medical professionals.
