By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
A Consultant Neurologist on the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof. Kolawole Wahab, says the growing migration of medical doctors overseas is threatening efficient healthcare supply in Nigeria.
Wahab said this on Wednesday in Ilorin, whereas delivering a paper presentation on the Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) studies that the convention is a part of actions organised to mark the chapter’s 2026 Physician’s Week, with the theme, “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria”.
Wahab, who’s the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, mentioned the present wave of migration, popularly known as “Japa syndrome”, was totally different from the previous.
According to him, prior to now, professionals travelled primarily for coaching and returned to contribute to nationwide improvement.
He recognized poor remuneration, unfavourable working circumstances, insufficient infrastructure and insecurity as main drivers of the exodus.
According to him, the implications are already being felt in hospitals via lengthy ready occasions and delayed emergency response.
Wahab mentioned Nigeria at present has about 4 medical doctors per 10,000 inhabitants, in comparison with the World Health Organisation (WHO) beneficial ratio of 30 medical doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
“There is need for urgent government intervention through improved remuneration, better welfare packages, upgraded infrastructure and enhanced security for doctors,” he mentioned.
The neurologist expressed concern on the psychological well being implications for medical doctors because of burnout.
According to him, extreme workload and extended responsibility hours had been exposing medical doctors to anxiousness, melancholy and different psychological challenges.
“Doctors working 24-hour call without adequate rest could easily be overwhelmed, and patients sometimes mistook exhaustion for negligence,” he mentioned.
He known as for normal psychological well being assessments and help for medical professionals.
Also talking, a Consultant Cardiologist at UITH, Prof. Philip Kolo, known as for sufficient manpower to implement the ministry of well being’s suggestions on working hours.
He spoke on the sub-theme, “Saving the Savers: Promoting Physicians’ Well-being and Preventing Burnout and Cardiovascular Diseases”.
He mentioned medical doctors attending to greater than 40 sufferers had been nonetheless pressured to see extra as a result of manpower scarcity, a state of affairs that would result in extreme stress and burnout.
On cardiovascular well being, Kolo listed smoking, hypertension, diabetes and weight problems as main danger components and urged medical practitioners and the general public to prioritise common well being checks and early detection.
“Hypertension and diabetes can remain undiagnosed for years before resulting in serious complications, including stroke,” he warned
Earlier in his welcome handle, the Chairman of NMA-Kwara, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, known as for pressing coverage reforms.
Rotimi additionally known as for improved working circumstances to handle the migration of medical doctors and safe the way forward for medical observe.
He recognized manpower scarcity, assault on physicians, insecurity, poor remuneration, burnout and challenges of modernisation and digitalisation as main considerations confronting the occupation.
He mentioned the protection, dignity and welfare of medical doctors have to be prioritised, noting that physicians working in unsafe and unconducive environments couldn’t present optimum healthcare providers.
The NMA chairman additionally known as for elevated coaching capability and reforms in medical training to satisfy the rising demand arising from inhabitants development.
Rotimi urged medical colleges to replace their curricula consistent with fashionable realities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Franca Ofili/Esenvosa Izah
