Ngige-goofed-on-his-statement-about-the-migration-of-nigerian-doctors-to-foreign-countries
September 7, 2020 | News
NGIGE GOOFED ON HIS STATEMENT ABOUT THE MIGRATION OF NIGERIAN DOCTORS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Dr. Chris Igige, Former Governor of Anambra State
Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Hon. Minister of Health
We consider it necessary to correct the wrong impression and assertion given by Dr. Chris Ngige, Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, who recently said the country will not feel the absence of Nigerian medical doctors who leave in search of greener pastures abroad. Ngige stated this on Channel TV programme recently, saying that the practice is not alien to Nigeria, because he was taught by Indians in secondary school. In his words: “I’m Not Worried, We Have Surplus (Doctors), if we have a surplus, we export. I was taught Biology and Chemistry by Indian teachers in my secondary school days… They are surplus in their country. We have a surplus in the medical profession in our country. I can tell you this. It is my area, we have excess. We have enough, more than enough, quote me,” he said.
We find it appalling that Ngige, as a supposed qualified medical doctor and Minister of Labour and Employment, does not see anything wrong in the choice of Nigerian medical doctors to practice overseas, at the detriment of Nigeria’s health sector. Has he bothered to ask why are these Nigerian medical doctors leaving the country in droves to practice abroad? Should he not be worried and concerned that medical doctors are leaving his country because of the gross lack of medical facilities and attractive working conditions in Nigeria, all of which have made our political leaders to prefer getting medical care overseas than in their own country? Is this not the height of irresponsibility and dereliction of statutory duties of the Office of Labour and Employment? Is he aware that today, Nigerian medical doctors are daily complaining that they are being overstretched due to the mass exodus of their colleagues and the growing population of Nigeria? Is he aware that in most general hospitals and even teaching teaching hospitals across the country, the number of persons in line/on queue waiting to be attended to, is worrisome? Ngige’s statement obviously shows that he is not aware of what is actually happening in the nation’s health sector, else he would not have made that statement.
It is a known fact that the first wealth of a nation is its health. In fact, the availability and accessibility of affordable, “qualitative health care services” to a vast majority of citizens must be regarded by any responsible Government as one of the guaranteed fundamental human rights. There is empirical evidence that the health of a nation significantly enhances its economic development, and vice versa. HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, under-5 mortality, malaria, tuberculosis, etc., have undermined development and impoverished many developing nations such as Nigeria. Nonetheless, it has been enunciated that the pursuit of better health should not await an improved economy; rather measures to improve health will themselves contribute to economic growth. But in a situation where we have this huge deficit problem of basic health care facilities to cater for Nigeria’s growing population on the one hand, and now we have the migration of medical practitioners to overseas countries on the other hand; where does that leave the Nigerian general masses when it comes to having access to affordable, accessible and reliable health care in the country? And here somebody is telling us that there is nothing wrong with medical doctors leaving the country in search of greener pastures abroad? Ngige has really goofed with his statement. If Nigerian medical doctors were leaving the country because of secondment, or just to broaden their practice knowledge with the intention to come back home to continue their practice on higher grounds, then it is a different thing entirely. But when they are leaving because they see a blank and bleak future with no good prospects for their profession here in Nigeria, hence they are leaving to foreign countries where they can achieve their dreams, then that should be a cause for great concern to any responsible Government official concerned.
With all the advancement in Modern Health Care delivery/service that is evident and obtainable around the globe, it is rather unfortunate and sad to note that Nigeria, despite being blessed in abundance, both in human and material resources, the nation’s health sector is nothing to write home about. Considering the daily alarming death toll in various Hospitals/Clinics, particularly public hospitals across the nation, the Nigerian health sector should be a matter of utmost importance to the present administration. It is not rock science to understand that, with the evident population explosion across the country, there is no way the existing medical facilities, medical infrastructure and medical practitioners around the country, especially those in public healthcare centers like Teaching Hospitals or General Hospitals, can cater for the rising population. Some of the Federal Teaching Hospitals were built over two decades ago, and we can imagine the population growth within this same period in the country. So, we now have on our hands, medical facilities and medical practitioners that are being overstretched, overused, and to make matters worse, the facilities are not maintained and equipped with modern facilities as they should.
Some few years ago, it was reported that Nigeria spends an average of N2.5t annually on medical tourism. This includes what Nigerians spend on medicine (prescription) component of their treatment while outside the shores of the country, which is estimated to be at least $250m or N125b. The situation, according to Nigerian Medical Doctors and Pharmacists, will persist until the Nigerian Governments at all levels paid due attention to improving the ‘deteriorating condition of health facilities’ in the country. Essentially, they are worried that the frequent trips by the rich and top Government officials for medical attention abroad has not helped the situation, with hundreds of millions of naira spent out of government purse – money which can be channeled towards reviving the nation’s failing health sector.
In the medical profession, Nigeria can boast of being amongst nations with the best brains in the medical field around the world. We have many Researchers and Consultants in Medicine. Unfortunately, most of them have chosen to pursue their careers/professions in Diaspora, where they are better treated, respected and regarded in the medical field. Not to mention the well-structured and sophisticated medical facilities/equipment that are available for them, which makes it attractive and comfortable for them to remain abroad. It did not come as a surprise to us when it was recently reported that Nigerians and other nationals top the list of foreign medical doctors practicing in the United Kingdom (UK), according to the British National Health Service (NHS). The fact that over 3000 Nigeria-trained doctors are currently practicing in Britain speaks volume on the poor work environment and poor job satisfaction among the medical work force in Nigeria. At home in Nigeria, most good and exceptional medical doctors that we have prefer to work for or with private hospitals/clinics, or at the best, run their own hospitals/clinics. Where does that leave the ‘common man’ in having access to such good medical services?
Today, we are comfortable with the fact that most Nigerian Government personnel travel abroad for medical attention. But we fail to realize that no American leader will go to even the UK for medical treatment. No English leader will go to US for medical checks. No French leader will go to England for medical treatments. But Nigerian leaders patronize foreign hospitals without end. This is enough evidence that Nigerian health sector is zero, which any Minister in charge should be worried about. Nigerian medical doctors are leaving the country for just two reasons: Poor medical condition of service and lack of medical facilities. Apart from poor pay package for all medical workers including nurses, medical scientists, pharmacists, medical doctors, etc, there are no standard medical facilities in hospitals for medical workers to work and practice their profession with. Whereas, all the hospitals in the UK, US, France, Germany, etc, are well equipped. Even the medical facilities in their public general hospitals are the same with their teaching hospitals, and with the same qualified medical workers. One does not need to go to teaching hospitals in these places because all public/general hospitals have the same facilities and standard and qualified medical workers. What are the relevant Government Authorities in Nigeria doing to address the pressing issues in the nation’s health care sector?
Reviving the health sector is not an impossible task that cannot be realized. This is because we have the capable hands, the brains and wherewithal as a nation, which can effectively and efficiently transform our health sector for the better. It is all about placing the ‘right persons’ in the right positions, and not allowing the evil of corruption and unaccountability to destroy us. Ensuring a good Health Sector goes beyond having ‘structures and buildings’ as hospitals/health centers or passing health Insurance schemes into law. It is about ensuring that all Nigerians irrespective of status and location have easy access to the right medical health care that uses the best medical equipment, personnel, good conditions/terms of service, etc.
Zik Gbemre.
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes as if Those Were Our Causes
Dr. Chris Igige, Former Governor of Anambra State
Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Hon. Minister of Health
We consider it necessary to correct the wrong impression and assertion given by Dr. Chris Ngige, Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, who recently said the country will not feel the absence of Nigerian medical doctors who leave in search of greener pastures abroad. Ngige stated this on Channel TV programme recently, saying that the practice is not alien to Nigeria, because he was taught by Indians in secondary school. In his words: “I’m Not Worried, We Have Surplus (Doctors), if we have a surplus, we export. I was taught Biology and Chemistry by Indian teachers in my secondary school days… They are surplus in their country. We have a surplus in the medical profession in our country. I can tell you this. It is my area, we have excess. We have enough, more than enough, quote me,” he said.
We find it appalling that Ngige, as a supposed qualified medical doctor and Minister of Labour and Employment, does not see anything wrong in the choice of Nigerian medical doctors to practice overseas, at the detriment of Nigeria’s health sector. Has he bothered to ask why are these Nigerian medical doctors leaving the country in droves to practice abroad? Should he not be worried and concerned that medical doctors are leaving his country because of the gross lack of medical facilities and attractive working conditions in Nigeria, all of which have made our political leaders to prefer getting medical care overseas than in their own country? Is this not the height of irresponsibility and dereliction of statutory duties of the Office of Labour and Employment? Is he aware that today, Nigerian medical doctors are daily complaining that they are being overstretched due to the mass exodus of their colleagues and the growing population of Nigeria? Is he aware that in most general hospitals and even teaching teaching hospitals across the country, the number of persons in line/on queue waiting to be attended to, is worrisome? Ngige’s statement obviously shows that he is not aware of what is actually happening in the nation’s health sector, else he would not have made that statement.
It is a known fact that the first wealth of a nation is its health. In fact, the availability and accessibility of affordable, “qualitative health care services” to a vast majority of citizens must be regarded by any responsible Government as one of the guaranteed fundamental human rights. There is empirical evidence that the health of a nation significantly enhances its economic development, and vice versa. HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, under-5 mortality, malaria, tuberculosis, etc., have undermined development and impoverished many developing nations such as Nigeria. Nonetheless, it has been enunciated that the pursuit of better health should not await an improved economy; rather measures to improve health will themselves contribute to economic growth. But in a situation where we have this huge deficit problem of basic health care facilities to cater for Nigeria’s growing population on the one hand, and now we have the migration of medical practitioners to overseas countries on the other hand; where does that leave the Nigerian general masses when it comes to having access to affordable, accessible and reliable health care in the country? And here somebody is telling us that there is nothing wrong with medical doctors leaving the country in search of greener pastures abroad? Ngige has really goofed with his statement. If Nigerian medical doctors were leaving the country because of secondment, or just to broaden their practice knowledge with the intention to come back home to continue their practice on higher grounds, then it is a different thing entirely. But when they are leaving because they see a blank and bleak future with no good prospects for their profession here in Nigeria, hence they are leaving to foreign countries where they can achieve their dreams, then that should be a cause for great concern to any responsible Government official concerned.
With all the advancement in Modern Health Care delivery/service that is evident and obtainable around the globe, it is rather unfortunate and sad to note that Nigeria, despite being blessed in abundance, both in human and material resources, the nation’s health sector is nothing to write home about. Considering the daily alarming death toll in various Hospitals/Clinics, particularly public hospitals across the nation, the Nigerian health sector should be a matter of utmost importance to the present administration. It is not rock science to understand that, with the evident population explosion across the country, there is no way the existing medical facilities, medical infrastructure and medical practitioners around the country, especially those in public healthcare centers like Teaching Hospitals or General Hospitals, can cater for the rising population. Some of the Federal Teaching Hospitals were built over two decades ago, and we can imagine the population growth within this same period in the country. So, we now have on our hands, medical facilities and medical practitioners that are being overstretched, overused, and to make matters worse, the facilities are not maintained and equipped with modern facilities as they should.
Some few years ago, it was reported that Nigeria spends an average of N2.5t annually on medical tourism. This includes what Nigerians spend on medicine (prescription) component of their treatment while outside the shores of the country, which is estimated to be at least $250m or N125b. The situation, according to Nigerian Medical Doctors and Pharmacists, will persist until the Nigerian Governments at all levels paid due attention to improving the ‘deteriorating condition of health facilities’ in the country. Essentially, they are worried that the frequent trips by the rich and top Government officials for medical attention abroad has not helped the situation, with hundreds of millions of naira spent out of government purse – money which can be channeled towards reviving the nation’s failing health sector.
In the medical profession, Nigeria can boast of being amongst nations with the best brains in the medical field around the world. We have many Researchers and Consultants in Medicine. Unfortunately, most of them have chosen to pursue their careers/professions in Diaspora, where they are better treated, respected and regarded in the medical field. Not to mention the well-structured and sophisticated medical facilities/equipment that are available for them, which makes it attractive and comfortable for them to remain abroad. It did not come as a surprise to us when it was recently reported that Nigerians and other nationals top the list of foreign medical doctors practicing in the United Kingdom (UK), according to the British National Health Service (NHS). The fact that over 3000 Nigeria-trained doctors are currently practicing in Britain speaks volume on the poor work environment and poor job satisfaction among the medical work force in Nigeria. At home in Nigeria, most good and exceptional medical doctors that we have prefer to work for or with private hospitals/clinics, or at the best, run their own hospitals/clinics. Where does that leave the ‘common man’ in having access to such good medical services?
Today, we are comfortable with the fact that most Nigerian Government personnel travel abroad for medical attention. But we fail to realize that no American leader will go to even the UK for medical treatment. No English leader will go to US for medical checks. No French leader will go to England for medical treatments. But Nigerian leaders patronize foreign hospitals without end. This is enough evidence that Nigerian health sector is zero, which any Minister in charge should be worried about. Nigerian medical doctors are leaving the country for just two reasons: Poor medical condition of service and lack of medical facilities. Apart from poor pay package for all medical workers including nurses, medical scientists, pharmacists, medical doctors, etc, there are no standard medical facilities in hospitals for medical workers to work and practice their profession with. Whereas, all the hospitals in the UK, US, France, Germany, etc, are well equipped. Even the medical facilities in their public general hospitals are the same with their teaching hospitals, and with the same qualified medical workers. One does not need to go to teaching hospitals in these places because all public/general hospitals have the same facilities and standard and qualified medical workers. What are the relevant Government Authorities in Nigeria doing to address the pressing issues in the nation’s health care sector?
Reviving the health sector is not an impossible task that cannot be realized. This is because we have the capable hands, the brains and wherewithal as a nation, which can effectively and efficiently transform our health sector for the better. It is all about placing the ‘right persons’ in the right positions, and not allowing the evil of corruption and unaccountability to destroy us. Ensuring a good Health Sector goes beyond having ‘structures and buildings’ as hospitals/health centers or passing health Insurance schemes into law. It is about ensuring that all Nigerians irrespective of status and location have easy access to the right medical health care that uses the best medical equipment, personnel, good conditions/terms of service, etc.
Zik Gbemre.
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes as if Those Were Our Causes