Why Nigerian medical doctors are leaving in mass to oversee

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has claimed that no fewer than 15,000 medical doctors in the country have left for overseas in search of greener pastures.

The body said that, “over 15,000 doctors have traveled out of Nigeria to developed countries where they are now practicing medicine.”

NMA President, Dr. Mike Ogirima, said that between 10,000 and 15,000 Nigerian doctors are working outside the country. He added that about 90 per cent of those working outside the country are trained in Nigeria where they acquired their skills.

Ogirima further disclosed that between 40,000 and 60,000 doctors are working in the country.

Ogirima told New Telegraph, “Nigeria has trained these doctors while other countries are making use of them. That is a sad thing. Of course in a country where the working environment is not conducive, what do you expect?

“So, we expect the government to improve the working environment, provide the necessary tools for the doctors to work with and give them needed welfare to encourage them to stay in the country.

“Just last month, over 500 doctors took examination for possible recruitment placement abroad.

“For Nigerian doctors looking for employment in the United States, they write the United States Medical Licensing Examination, while those seeking employment opportunities in the United Kingdom write examination with the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB).

“Unfortunately, the conditions driving the migration have worsened with more doctors working for several months in the country without salaries.”

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