… Says catastrophic healthcare crisis imminent

By Chioma Obinna

The newly elected Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, Dr. Eustace Oseghale has raised alarm over the alarming rate at which Nigerian doctors are emigrating.

Oseghale, a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) also said government at every level must do everything humanly possible to reverse the trend before the country goes into a catastrophic healthcare crisis.

He attributed this exodus to the poor working conditions and inadequate remuneration in the country’s healthcare sector.

Spealing to journalists in Benin City shortly after the association’s 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, emphasised the critical need for urgent government intervention to stem the tide. He warned that the country could face a catastrophic healthcare crisis if the trend persists.

The consultant highlighted the stark contrast between the challenging conditions faced by Nigerian doctors and the attractive opportunities offered by countries like the UK, Canada, and the US. He noted that the mass emigration of skilled medical professionals is a significant contributor to the deteriorating health crisis in Nigeria.

Oseghale pledged to collaborate with the Edo State government to address manpower shortages, improve working conditions, and foster industrial harmony among doctors in the state. He also emphasized the importance of security, calling for the immediate release of Dr. Ganiyat Poopola, who has been held captive for eight months.

Oseghale noted that the country has lost many of its best brains to other countries especially the UK, 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 warning that 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 also noted that insecurity should be taken very seriously by the government as many Nigerians have fallen victim to kidnaping in recent times, Dr Oseghale called on security operatives to ensure the unconditional release of Dr Ganiyat Poopola of National Eye Care Center Kaduna who has been with kidnappers for 8 months.

Other 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 cycle of leadership will emerge

The newly elected team will serve a two-year term, from 2024 to 2026.