Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Prof. Emem Bassey, the chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, bemoaned yesterday’s labour shortage in the healthcare industry caused by the exodus of workers from the nation.
He claims that Nigerian medical personnel are currently being poached by other African nations. When he testified before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee looking into employment racketeering in Federal Government institutions, Bassey, the CMD of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, revealed this. Along with him were the leaders of various health organizations across the nation.
According to Bassey, some African nations are starting to steal from Nigeria. Our experts are needed on the West Coast. There are so many people travelling to countries like Sierra Leone and the Gambia, where the average annual salary is $3000 to $4000. They make between three and four times as much as they do at home.
Bassey explained the labour shortage to legislators by stating: “More and more nurses are quitting. Numerous health professionals, including physicians, nurses, lab scientists, physiotherapists, radiologists, and others, are emigrating from the nation. That is a component of the issue we are having,” he emphasised. The challenge of replacing these healthcare professionals is enormous. This is due to the difficult procedure of obtaining waivers, despite the fact that we are typically given permission to recruit.
He further stated that it is difficult to comply with federal character in recruitments because of the urgency involved in replacing departing health professionals. Yusuf Gagdi, the committee’s head, meanwhile urged physicians to show their patriotism by remaining in the country to aid in its growth. He acknowledged that their healthcare system lacks cutting-edge medical facilities. “This is a fact, and as a government, we need to take note of it. We are perplexed about the issue of lack of patriotism. You were created by institutions in Nigeria. We will thoroughly review your submissions,” he continued. We would interact specifically with these universities that have open recruitment situations.
