The CEO of Love for Health Organisation, Doctor Yusuf Haroun also called Dr Love has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to prevent the mass emigration of medical professionals in the country.
Nigeria has unfortunately experienced a spike in the number of healthcare professionals emigrating to other countries for better opportunities. Their reasons are not farfetched: better pay and working conditions, access to advanced technology and opportunities for career growth.
The Japa trend affected the healthcare system the most with Nigerian hospitals being understaffed and overwhelmed. This has led to longer waiting times, fewer specialists, and decline in quality of care in the already struggling public health institutions.
With outbreak of diseases and growing population rate, the loss of qualified medical personnels are affecting the country’s ability to fight health challenges.
It is not surprising that the country’s doctor-to-patient ratio, already dangerously low at 1 doctor for every 5,000 patients, is now further from the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1 doctor for every 600 patients.
Dr Haroun however believes the solution lies in addressing the root causes driving medical professionals away. He emphasised the need for improved working conditions, competitive salaries and better medical infrastructure.
Many Nigerian healthcare workers feel disillusioned by the lack of equipment, poor facilities and insufficient funding for research and professional development, which often drives them to seek better opportunities abroad.
“Our healthcare workers are some of the best trained in the world, but they are not being given the tools and resources they need to succeed here in Nigeria,” Haroun complained
He called on the government to implement incentive programs that would encourage medical professionals to remain in the country. These incentives could include housing benefits, tax breaks and opportunities for continued education and specialisation.
In addition to financial incentives, Haroun highlighted the importance of creating a more supportive work environment, where healthcare workers feel valued and respected for their contributions.
Despite the current challenges, Haroun remains optimistic that Nigeria can reverse the trend of medical emigration.
“We have a talented pool of medical professionals who are passionate about making a difference. If we can address the factors driving them away, we will not only prevent their emigration but also attract those who have already left to return and contribute to the growth of our healthcare system,” he emphasised.
Dr Haroun, popularly known as Dr. Love on social media, is a distinguished healthcare professional with a wealth of experience in both clinical practice and healthcare administration and holding a First Class Honors MBA in Healthcare Administration from Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
