The failure of the Nigerian government to enact meaningful reforms in health care has continued to lead to a brain drain in the sector.
Development Diaries reports that nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Abuja and Lagos chapters, recently protested against a new circular on certificate verification by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
The NMCN’s updated criteria require candidates who want their credentials verified by international nursing boards and councils to have two years of post-qualification experience starting from the day their permanent practicing licence was issued.
The policy’s apparent goal is to lower the number of nurses who leave for other countries in quest of better opportunities, hence why nurses are protesting against it.
Instead of trying to deter health care professionals from leaving the country, the NMCN should work towards improving their welfare.
According to the Registrar of NMCN, Faruk Abubakar, 42,000 nurses have left the country in the last three years.
Yes, this is a concern, but the government’s failure to address basic problems in the health care system, in spite of many promises and efforts, has greatly contributed to the continuous brain drain in the sector.
Despite being one of Africa’s largest economies, Nigeria allocates a disproportionately small percentage of its budget to health care. This chronic underfunding has resulted in a lack of essential medical equipment, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of essential supplies in hospitals and clinics across the country.
Moreover, the Nigerian health care system is plagued by corruption and mismanagement, further worsening its challenges. Funds meant for improving health care services often end up being syphoned off through corrupt practices, leaving the system in a perpetual state of disrepair.
The inability of the government to tackle these fundamental problems has resulted in widespread disappointment among medical practitioners. Many doctors and nurses feel undervalued and overworked, with limited opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
As a result, they are increasingly drawn to opportunities abroad, where they can earn higher salaries, work in better-equipped facilities, and benefit from more supportive working environments.
Without meaningful reforms, the exodus of health care professionals will likely continue, perpetuating the cycle of underdevelopment and deprivation in Nigeria’s health sector.
Development Diaries calls on the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, to implement measures aimed at reforming the sector, including improving the welfare of health workers.
Photo source: BBC
