“Emigration isn’t the Solution to the Challenges in our Healthcare system, Patriotism is.” Dr. Adekunle Y. Abdulkadir Says

By: Ibraheem Olasunkanmi Qoseem

The recent superfluous of Nigeria Doctors going out of the country for greener pasture raise an eyebrows and leave much to be concerned. Although, emigration isn’t the best solution to this but being patriotic goes a long way to addressing it.

Dr. Adekunle Y. Abdulkadir who is the Head of Radiology Department, Federal Medical Center, Gusau disclosed this while presenting at the annual gathering organized by Association of Resident Doctor, Zamfara State.

Featuring at the events are many distinguished personalities in the profession including Dr Muhammad Bello Kwartarkwashi, CMD FMC Gusau; Dr Sanusi Bello, first Zamfara State Medical Doctor; General Ali Tanko, Retired Physician; Dr Muhammad Shanawa, MD Yarima Bakura Specialist Hospital; Dr Nasiru, HOD Histopathology, FMC Gusau among many others.

Dr. Abdulkadir who was the guest speaker of the occasion spoke on the topic: Early Career Doctors at Crossroads in the Wake of Brain Drain, where he critically analyzed the causes of brain drain among health professionals and provide amicable solutions to the recurrent challenges. In his statement:

” The causes of brain drain in healthcare sector is not farfetched, it is the hope of every doctor to serve in a place where things work, where patients care are taken seriously, the skills are appreciated and well renumerated, work environment meets minimum standard and the security of lives are secured and, when these are not met, they tend to seek other options for survival, thus results to brain drain” he narrated.

He noted by citing several lamentations from concerned stakeholders stirred by the dwindling of health professional in the country and he was particularly concerned about the Nigeria state healthwise, if the menace persists. In his remark:

” Apart from the future consequences that looms, we have started feeling the heat already; most Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit in Nigeria hospital can no longer boast of doctors’ shifting due to this, considering the complexity and sensitivity of the units, then where is the excesses as posited by Labor Minister, Chris Ngige” he fumed.

“Most facilities no longer have resident doctors due to insistence strike by our health institution. Although the concerted efforts made by the federal government by reviewing hazard allowance from five thousands to thirty thousands is a step forward but it is not enough, if we compare it with what our politicians go home with” he added.

Dr Adekunle opined that for us to halt this ugly occurrence there is little more push we need to do beyond the pettiness. In his recommendation:” there should be closure of wage disparity between developing and developed countries. Creation of secured environment for workers. There should be accountable governance and, equal renumeration between professional and politicians should be addressed ” he enthused.

In his concluding remarks, he appealed to the emotions of young professionals to endure the tribulation: “obviously this is a trying time for everyone, but if this brain drain persist, no professional will be left behind to take care of our people, leaving them at peril of quackery. Perhaps, what we are enjoying as professionals today were sacrifices of our elders; what do we wish to leave behind?! We need to do something new, something more of strategies and something more patriotic and enduring” He challenged.

Dr. Muhammad Bello Kwartarkwashi, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, in his comments, he appreciated the resident doctors for their sacrifices and appealed that things will be better with time. He also advised the young professionals to always think indepthly with a thorough evaluation of what is obtainable here compare to the offer before consideration.

Speaking further, he noted that one of the causes of brain drain in Nigeria is corruption and its infiltration in every sector is deep-seated without leaving behind health sector. He subsequently, cited the gross mismanagement of common National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS) by professionals. He thereby compelled the professionals of a proper comportment in the sector and charged everyone to see it as their part to play in addressing brain drain.

In a statement by Dr. Mahmud Shanawa the Managing Director of Yarima Bakura Specialist Hospital who also doubled as representative of Commissioner of Health, Zamfara State Chapter, made his contribution and further shared the new developments by State Government toward addressing the brain drain in the sector.

“As part of the efforts of the State Government towards addressing the menace of brain drain, the state is already building the residency quarter to ensure their comfortability, more consultants are also being employed to the system, we have worked on the improved renumeration of the State Consultants and as well procured of tomographic machine and many more” he submitted.