Health
BRAIN DRAIN: 40 Doctors Leave Nigeria Weekly — REPORT
Professor Ayo Omotayo, Director General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, left the podium and spoke extempore, momentarily.
Omotayo said he wasn’t at the gathering to massage anyone’s ego but to hit the nail on the head of our problems and ensure solutions are proffered. There was a pin-drop silence while his 15 minutes’ admonition lasted.
The event was a one-day symposium on medical brain drain in Nigeria facilitated by the development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) in collaboration with NIPSS and held in Abuja.
The high-level symposium was themed, ‘Nigeria’s health sector brain drain and its implications for sustainable child and family health service delivery and financing in the context of new national priorities’.
The assemblage of participants showed the importance attached to the event. They include the Federal Government through the Office of the Vice President, the Office of the Minister of Health, the Budget Office of the Federation, President, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Registrar, Medical And Dental Council of Nigeria, President, National Association of Community Health Practitioners, Director, Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, President, Nigerian Doctors in the UK, and Canadian High Commissioner.
Omotayo said the theme of the event was timely as more persons are leaving the country to settle in developed climes even as he said all sectors in Nigeria have one problem or another, including health which is a critical sector.
Nigeria, according to a foreign publication, Guardian of London, is a top exporter of medical talent to other countries; its doctors are a permanent fixture in emergency rooms in the UK, the US, Canada & Saudi Arabia. In South Africa, it is estimated that there are 5,000 Nigerian doctors; in the UK, that figure is 7,500, according to figures from the UK General Medical Council.
Currently, Nigeria is the highest, outside India and Pakistan, parading foreign medical doctors working in the United Kingdom, making doctors to patient ratio in the country to be 1:10,000 as against the WHO recommendation of 1:1,000.
Nigeria, according to research, lost over 9,000 medical doctors to the UK, Canada and the US between 2016 and 2018.
A total of 727 medical doctors trained in Nigeria relocated to the UK alone in six months, between December 2021 and May 2022.
The data from the Register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of the UK shows that the number of Nigeria-trained nurses increased by 68.4 percent from 2,790 in March 2017 to 7,256 in March 2022.
Problems abound on why the droves may continue: Poor funding; stressful medical education; non-existent house job slots; difficulty in gaining employment as residents, insecurity and poor remuneration among others.
Incentives, like sane system/society with order; ambient work and living environment; well ordered and timed residency training program; training institutions with cutting-edge technology medical equipment; readily available employment with little or no need for any form of bribery; rapid and easy recruitment interviews without much stress from immigration services of destination nations; better salary (in some instances negotiable) which is purposely made tax-free in some countries just for doctors, have gradually disappeared.
Precarious
Ejiro Eyaru, President of Nigerian Doctors in the UK, who joined the conversation via zoom, said the precarious health situation in Nigeria is such that at least 40 doctors leave the shores of the country every week.
According to him, the Nigerian government can make more efforts in the health sector to prevent doctors from leaving the country.
The representative of the Population Association of Nigeria (PAN), Godwin Aidenagbon, believed that brain drain across all sectors has a significant impact on population dynamics even as he highlighted the negative implications for the health of the population.
According to him, PAN is for the advancement of demographic knowledge and controls the population question in Nigeria’s developmental process.
To Uche Rowland Ojinmah, President of NMA, Nigeria, from 1963 to date, produced only 93, 000 doctors, a number, he said, is inadequate to cater for the population. He said it was sad that developing countries are confronted with the loss of their most valuable intellectuals and the investment in their education, to the benefit of developed nations
He was not surprised by the trend. Given the opportunity, he would join the bandwagon. According to him, he would have relocated to Saudi Arabia but for his children.
“In Saudi Arabia, they offered me N5m per month, outside other benefits including vacation abroad. I am still ruminating about the offer”, he said.
“Based on WHO established minimum threshold, a country needs a mix of 23 doctors, nurses and midwives per 10,000 population to deliver essential maternal and child health services. This explains why Nigeria ranks as one of the countries with the worst maternal and child mortality rates”.
His speech didn’t end without proffering solutions. His words: “A private sector driven healthcare system with government support and enabling environment will over time stop and may even initiate brain gain.
“What shall we do with existing federal tertiary health institutions?
“I suggest a graded disposal thus:
• 51% of the shares federal tertiary health institutions sold to a core investor to become majority share holder and responsible for the day-to-day running of the institution, fixing salary, hiring and firing, and it turns in profit after tax.
• 30% of the shares should be retained by government to maintain control of prices and policies of the institution .
• 19% shares be sold to the workers so as to strengthen their commitment to the institution.
Health Development Bank
“This bank will facilitate development of health care sector”.
The Minister of Health, Dr Ehanire, represented by Mr Sydey Ibeanusi, admitted that doctors are leaving the country even as he reminded that every country has its own problems, including the country they are migrating from.
He said the situation was not totally bleak as being painted as some doctors are willing to return to the country. To encourage such return, he said an enabling environment must be created.
The Minister agreed that increased welfare package will go a long way to address the issues of doctors’ migration.
“We must have a way to reintegrate them and bring them back into the country”, Ehanire said.
“We need to look at the countries taking our best brains. We can tax countries that our doctors are relocating to”.
While a symposium like this should be encouraged, it can only be impactful when outcomes are put into use and not allowed to remain on shelves like other important recommendations and solutions gathering dust.
The Enugu State Government says there is no confirmed case of diphtheria in the state, urging residents to disapprove unfounded ongoing rumours.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof George Ugwu, made the clarification in a briefing on Wednesday in Enugu on update on the rumoured suspected case of a diphtheria patient in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu.
“In response to this, the Public health and Surveillance unit of the State Ministry of Health are already at alert and to ensure appropriate prevention control measure and early detection as may be necessary.
“A few days ago, there was a report of suspected case of diphtheria at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu which was followed by our team.
“However, the diagnosis of diphtheria could not be sustained or confirmed; while the patient, wito was rumoured and suspected to have diphtheria,
had tonsillitis,” he said.
The commissioner noted that accordingly, contact traces and other appropriate measures are ongoing and “yet diphtheria are not diagnosed or confirmed in the state.”
He explained that the suspected patient had been traced to his home in Achara Layout in Enugu and he did not have any record of travel and had not being to the northern part of the country as rumoured.
“Our surveillance and tracing teams have also contacted his family members and others but no trace of diphtheria established,” he said.
Ugwu noted that although the state had remained on high alert against infectious diseases, “Enugu State is never at high risk of contacting diphtheria”.
“For the state, we have a robust routine and mop up vaccination especially on Penta 3, which provides effective immunisation against diphtheria for a whole life time.
“In 2026 Vaccination, we had 91 per cent record of coverage on Penta 3 vaccination, which is even above the national target or threshold,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading rumours or unverified information as well as seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms of any sickness.
He said, “The ministry is calling on parents and caregivers to ensure children are fully immunised with diphtheria containing vaccines (Penta 3).
“Residents are urged to follow the advice of health authorities during contact tracing and monitoring.
“Healthcare workers are urged to maintain appropriate standard precautions, promptly notify suspected cases through the surveillance system and ensure appropriate infection prevention and control measures.
“The Enugu State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNTH and relevant international partners, continues to monitor the situation and will be proactive for further information as necessary,” he added.
It would be recalled that there is an outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria and 19,799 suspected cases sent to molecular laboratory test; with 15,309 confirmed cases and 517 confirmed death across 26 states and 357 Local Government Areas.
The worst affected states accounting for over 98 per cent cases of diphtheria are Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Kastin, Sokato, Zamfara, Kaduna and Plateau according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Diphtheria is a serious but vaccine preventable bacterial disease that can spread though respiratory droplets and close contact.
Symptoms of Diphtheria include: fever, sore throat, difficulty or pain when swallowing, cough, difficulty breathing, swelling of the neck and greyish/white membrane in the throat.
The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, has urged patients, visitors and members of the public to remain calm following the management of a clinically suspected case of diphtheria at the hospital.
The reassurance followed concerns over the admission and subsequent death of a paediatric patient at the hospital’s Children’s Emergency Room (CHER).
According to a statement issued by the hospital management on Wednesday, the patient received medical intervention immediately after admission but died two days later despite efforts by the attending medical team.
The hospital said a subsequent clinical post-mortem review suggested that the severe symptoms may have been caused by severe pharyngotonsillitis with massive exudate, rather than diphtheria as initially suspected.
However, as a precautionary measure, UNTH said comprehensive contact tracing had commenced to identify and monitor individuals who may have had close contact with the deceased.
The hospital also confirmed that the Children’s Emergency Room had undergone standard decontamination in line with established infection prevention and control protocols.
UNTH said it had previously managed sporadic cases of diphtheria successfully and possesses the specialist personnel, isolation facilities and medical equipment required to manage infectious disease cases.
The management urged members of the public to remain vigilant for symptoms associated with diphtheria, including persistent fever, severe sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
It advised anyone experiencing such symptoms, as well as parents whose children develop them, to seek immediate medical attention at a recognised healthcare facility and avoid self-medication.
Healthcare workers, patients and visitors were also advised to maintain proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette while within the hospital premises.
The hospital management assured the public that it would continue to prioritise community safety and public health, while providing updates based on verified medical information.
ENUGU — The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, and the party’s Enugu State Governorship Candidate, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, on Thursday, August 13, 2026, visited Parklane Specialist Hospital, Enugu, to show solidarity with patients battling kidney disease and other related illnesses.
They arrived at about 5:00 p.m. in the company of other party leaders, including the NDC Senatorial Candidate for Enugu East, Ada Ogbu; Hon. Kentus Eze; Hon. Ike Ezugwu; Architect Everastus Odo; Comrade Obi Mamah, H(JP); Hon. Odo Joel; and other party faithful who turned out to receive Peter Obi.
The visit followed a humanitarian gathering convened by Okwuluora to draw attention to the plight of more than 500 kidney patients and their families struggling to afford treatment.
Over 500 Kidney Patients Cry for Help as Families Battle for Survival
It was an emotional scene as men, women and children living with kidney-related illnesses converged at Parklane, hoping to receive urgent assistance.
Many of the patients showed visible signs of prolonged illness and hardship. Some were due for dialysis but could not afford the treatment, leaving them and their families trapped in a painful struggle for survival.
The severity of their condition was evident, with some displaying swollen hands, arms and legs, while others had bloated abdomens and anxiety-filled faces as they awaited assistance.
Among those present was a 13-year-old boy from Akure, Ondo State. His mother said she had sold virtually everything she owned to sustain his dialysis treatment for the past five years. Despite the sacrifices, the boy was at Parklane hoping to benefit from the intervention.
The large turnout has renewed concerns over the growing burden of kidney disease and the rising cost of dialysis and transplant care in the South-East and other parts of the country.
Speaking at the event, Okwuluora commended the stakeholders who supported the initiative and called for sustained assistance for kidney patients and their families.
The national and state leadership of the NDC also commended Okwuluora for his consistent commitment to Nigerians in need, particularly those battling critical health challenges.
In his remarks, Peter Obi expressed concern after listening to the testimonies of the patients. He called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations and governments at all levels to support kidney patients in dire need of assistance.
The organisers and families of the patients expressed gratitude to Obi for honouring the invitation and using his platform to draw attention to the plight of sick and vulnerable Nigerians.
They also thanked Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa for standing with the people of Enugu during the difficult moment and for demonstrating what they described as leadership that places human lives first.
Appreciation was equally extended to NDC supporters who attended the gathering, with attendees saying their presence offered hope and reassurance to the patients and their families.
The NDC leadership reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for improved healthcare funding, greater access to dialysis and policies aimed at reducing the burden of catastrophic healthcare expenses on families in Enugu State and across Nigeria.
Gov. Peter Mbah says Enugu State remains fully ready to support Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on health security facilities and projects within the state.
Mbah said this on Wednesday in Enugu when the Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, paid him a courtesy call during a working visit to the state.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ossai, the governor said that the government had prioritised all issues concerning security especially those dealing on health security and invested heavily on health and related concerns.
According to him, we are fully ready and committed to work with you by providing land, logistics and other necessary requirements to make all health security projects/initiatives a reality.
He said, “We are fully aware of the need to focus and give priority to health security projects and issues.
“As a state, the high volume of travellers coming in their thousands to the state each day have increased our socioeconomic activities, made more investment possible and increased all forms of tourism.
“However, we recognise that only two weeks of a confirmed outbreak of any dreaded disease will scare away these large inflow of people coming into the state.
“This alone will affect and wipe away the striving tourism industry, our people’s vibrant trade and commerce, striving transport ecosystem, investors influx and the huge investment we have put to make Enugu the most attractive city in Africa.”
Mbah said that every effort or investment in health security “is in the right direction to secure our selves, investments, hopes and future.”
The governor commended the NCDC on their recent fight against COVID-19 and all initiatives to ensure prevention of Ebola virus as well as containing other outbreaks in the country.
“I must commend NCDC team for inspecting the ongoing South-East High Definition Molecular Laboratory and other health projects meant to serve our people, South-East and every Nigerian,” he said.
He assured that the government would undertake any responsibility to ensure that NCDC facilities continue running as well as protecting such facilities notwithstanding the premises they are domiciled in within the state.
On the issue of Ebola Virus, the govenor said that the state was taking the designation of Enugu State as a state with high importation risk “very serious”.
“From assessment, the scare of the disease coming to Enugu is real through the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. We are tightening all preventative measures and protocols, while ensuring robust synergy with relevant stakeholders on it.
“The state ministry of health and its partners are on alert over the issue and we are providing necessary support and access to our office on it,” he said.
Mbah called on the NCDC to give the state needed support in terms capacity building and training, close coordination and guidance as well as awareness materials and support in its preventive efforts.
Earlier, Idris said that visit was meant to access uncompleted South-East High Definition Molecular Laboratory, the level of Ebola Prevention and Preparedness at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and other related projects.
He commended the state government on huge investment in Primary Healthcare Centres, general hospitals, tertiary hospitals and recently the Enugu International Hospital meant to attract medical tourism.
The director-general said that the NCDC wanted the state government to get involved in protecting And maintaining the South-East High Definition Molecular Laboratory and other facilities of the agency coming up in Enugu.
“We are here to strengthen the existing cordial relationship with the state and see how both NCDC and Enugu State Government can collaborate to strengthen issues of health security,” he said.
The Enugu State Government and key health sector partners have pledged a commitment to sustain the gains of the IntegratE Project.
The IntegratE Project is a five-year family planning initiative that expanded access to reproductive health services through Community Pharmacists (CPs) and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, gave the commitment on Wednesday during the dissemination of the Enugu State Private Sector Family Planning performance under the IntegratE Project, which ran from Oct. 2021 to July 2026.
Ugwu said that the project had significantly improved reproductive health services and positive outcomes for women in the state over the past five years.
He described family planning as a sensitive but essential service, assuring that the government would continue expanding access while ensuring responsible use.
Ugwu said that Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration remained committed to strengthening primary healthcare outcomes in all ramifications
He revealed that more than 100 new primary healthcare centres would become operational before the end of the year.
The commissioner said that the state government’s commitment to innovation would continue to position the state as a leader in modern healthcare delivery.
Speaking, the representative of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Mrs Ifeyinwa Ohiaeri, described the project as a major intervention that strengthened family planning services through pharmacy practice.
Ohiaeri stressed that “family planning remains critical” to reproductive, maternal and adolescent health.
She said that the dissemination provided an opportunity to review achievements, challenges and strategies for sustaining the project’s impact, while reaffirming its commitment to professional ethics and quality service delivery.
The representative of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs Maureen Nwankwo, said the agency would sustain the gains achieved.
Nwankwo noted that the programme had helped reduce unintended pregnancies, maternal and child deaths through improved access to family planning services.
Group Director of Donor-Funded Programmes at the Society for Family Health, Mr Emeka Okafor, said the national project tested the pharmacy-led delivery model for family planning in Enugu State.
Okafor noted that while about 70 per cent of residents patronise private health providers, much of the state’s routine health data comes only from the public sector, leaving a significant gap.
He said that according to the project’s implementation report, 29,262 women accessed family planning services through trained PPMVs in Enugu State, while 14,541 referrals were made to public health facilities.
He said that the project also exceeded training targets, introduced digital supportive supervision and contributed to the institutionalisation of the Tiered Accreditation System for PPMVs.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) also pledged continued support for the initiative/project at the grassroots.
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