Professor Adewale Musa-Olomu, Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has stated that the main reasons why Nigerian physicians and other medical staff go abroad for employment are low salaries and a lack of incentives.
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Even though the government is making an effort to improve healthcare by adding more medical schools and building more healthcare facilities, Musa-Olomu noticed that many doctors leave the country after finishing their training to work in developed nations that pay much more.
These were the last words said by the departing Medical Director on Thursday as he reflected on his eight years in charge of the federal hospital.
While fielding questions from reporters at the event, Musa-Olomu stressed that Nigerian doctors are qualified to handle complex surgeries like cancer removal, which are typically reserved for clinics with better equipment abroad.
While he acknowledged that Nigeria has more than enough doctors to cover its medical needs, he emphasized that the persistent brain drain is mostly due to doctors’ low salaries.
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Building pharmacies, labs, and nursing schools, as well as increasing admissions to medical institutions, are all initiatives that the government is pursuing.
The exodus of medical professionals to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe continues unabated, notwithstanding these initiatives. Pay and benefits should reflect our abilities and the level of responsibility we have.
Just like in colonial times, when physicians were rated second only to the Governor-General, we should be paid what we’re worth. And then the doctors would remain. The specialists at FMC were able to successfully isolate the malignancy from the patient’s bones and nerves, and the patient made a full recovery.
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“What do American and British doctors do for a living?” So many intricate surgery have been carried out at this facility. However, the compensation ranges from about 700,000 to 800,000. With the opportunity to make ₦10 million per month overseas, they can provide for their families; why should they remain? They cannot afford to send their children to school abroad.
How can they put the health of their patients first when they have to worry about providing for their own families?
“To retain these professionals, the government must offer sufficient incentives and competitive salaries, especially since it has made substantial investments in the health sector through training doctors and pharmacists.”
Musa-Olomu focused on the fact that FMC Abeokuta has been brought up to international standards, with state-of-the-art equipment acquired and a large number of competent medical and non-medical personnel hired, when reflecting on his accomplishments.
During his time in office, he also oversaw the creation of a medical university in Abeokuta, which he said will improve healthcare in the area even further.