UNN VC rues brain drain as over 500 consultants leave in two years

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, Prof. Charles Igwe, on Thursday, raised concern over the level of brain drain among medical practitioners in Nigeria.

Track News reports that over 500 medical consultants are said to have left Nigeria within the last two years.

Igwe spoke at the National Executive Council Meeting of the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, MDCAN, in Enugu.

He chaired the opening ceremony of the two-day event taking place at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.

The Vice Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Prof. Mrs. Edith Nwosu blamed the situation on bad leadership in the country.

While challenging the consultants and other professionals to rise to the challenge, Igwe said the forthcoming general election offers an opportunity to right the wrongs in the country.

“Our nation at this time is faced with the greatest challenge of brain drain and your profession is the worst hit.

“What does your association need to do in order to check brain drain? Bad leadership in the country is the problem.

“Now that the Nigeria election will come up next month, time has come when professionals should get involved, when we should participate. This is the time to change the narrative as professionals,” Igwe said.

In his speech at the meeting, the MDCAN National President, Dr. Victor Makanjuola said the theme and the sub-theme “have been carefully chosen to address contemporary issues affecting the health sector in Nigeria.

“The theme: ‘Medical Practice in a contemporary environment and sub-themes- brain drain and insecurity- implication for healthcare delivery, as well as understanding and navigating Nigerian tax laws are apt.”

He confirmed that over 500 medical consultants have left the country within the last two years.

“This figure is as of March last year; so it is far more than that,” Makanjuola said