In a bid to address the exodus of Nigerian nurses seeking greener pastures abroad, the government has taken a step that seems more like a band-aid solution for a gaping wound.
Dr Faruk Abubakar, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, has said that government working stop Nigerian nurses from relocating abroad to curtail brain drain in the health sector.
The registrar gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2023 Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter.
The recent conference themed ‘Our Nurses, Our Future’ highlighted the alarming brain drain in the nursing profession, with Nigeria ranking seventh among 57 countries grappling with a dire shortage of healthcare workers.
However, the government’s move to curb this migration seems to be ignoring the very root causes that have pushed nurses and doctors to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Addressing the issue of brain drain in the nursing sector, Atiku Abubakar, a guest of honor at the event, called for increased recruitment of nurses and better working conditions.
But the bitter truth remains that the healthcare sector in Nigeria has been crippled by inadequate facilities, woeful welfare, and a lack of insurance coverage.
These issues are glaring roadblocks that deter healthcare professionals from staying in the country. Mere assurances from the government won’t suffice; tangible improvements are the need of the hour.
The removal of fuel subsidies and the persistently low salaries of healthcare workers are a testament to the government’s misplaced priorities. While nurses play a critical role in the nation’s healthcare, they are undervalued and underpaid.
The government must not only stem the migration tide but also ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped with the tools, education, and respect they deserve. Otherwise, their attempt to address nurse migration will remain a superficial gesture, failing to address the deep-rooted failures that have driven them to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
As the nation’s healthcare system teeters on the brink, it’s high time for the government to step up and tackle the systemic issues that continue to push healthcare workers away from their homeland.
