Mariam Adebukola 
Nigerian Medical Doctors and Dentist working in Diaspora has petitioned the National Assembly over the proposed bill to stop doctors and dentist from migrating abroad for greener pastures.
The suggested bill seeks to amend the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Act to compel those in the profession to serve compulsorily in Nigeria for five years before being licensed to practice in other countries as part of measures to address brain drain in the sector.
The petition follows the reaction of medical students in the country to the proposed bill that has been called unpatriotic, ill-timed, and a breach of the fundamental human right of doctors as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria.
According to the letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the medical practitioners said the bill could worsen the nation’s health crisis.
The letter titled ‘Re: A position statement from diaspora medical associations – Bill seeking to restrict newly-qualified medical doctors and dentists from leaving Nigeria’ is dated April 11, 2023.
The association copied the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Dr Tanko Sununu.
The letter reads in part: “The Diaspora Medical Associations have observed with keen interest, the ongoing deliberations in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly regarding the proposed Bill sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson, to mandate any Nigerian-trained medical and dental practitioners to practice in Nigeria for a minimum of five years before being granted a full license by the Council.
“The bill which purportedly seeks a way to address the adverse effects of brain drain may not be the most effective intervention to resolve the situation. It will be counterproductive and will not achieve its intended goal.
“We recognize the problems posed by the exodus of Nigerian medical professionals from our health system including, but not limited to decreased access to health care services, lack of quality of care, care delivery deserts the inability to adequately enact healthcare and public health policy due to lack of manpower and leadership resource.
“The medical or dental practitioner is the glue that keeps the team functional and the leading force for an effective health care delivery system. Similarly, the medical and dental professional bears the burden for systemic failures resulting in the maladaptive structure fostering stress, undue burden, physical and mental anguish, lack of job satisfaction, poor working conditions and much more.
“The major cause of brain drain includes a poor care delivery framework from a failure to invest in the healthcare to foster a conducive environment. The system does not promote professionalism, growth, work satisfaction or a high-reliability culture. Other major drivers include very poor welfare packages, high levels of insecurity, limited opportunities for employment, subspecialty training, and sociopolitical and economic instability.
“The majority of these issues stem from outside the healthcare system and are outside of an individual’s control. Indeed, good governance and commitment to future investment in healthcare would improve conditions in the country that will allow security, good education for children, and improved compensation, as described in the Abuja Declaration.”
In the letter, they observed that the migration of professionals is not limited to the medical and dental practitioners alone, saying that the question is why is the medical and dental profession being targeted.
According to them, “Focusing on one aspect of a problem without taking a holistic approach to a sustainable solution will be ineffective. Young professionals leave the country in search of better opportunities. Many are frustrated by the consequences of governance failures that have progressively worsened over the past 30 years.
“The unfortunate reality is the healthcare system is in a state of serious neglect, training and career development opportunities are limited further impairing earning potential. Insecurity is rampant. Equity and Justice are lacking for the average Nigerian.”
The Diaspora Medical Associations said they are invested in crafting effective solutions and are willing to participate in fostering solutions to that extent.
“Hon. Speaker, we look up to your leadership in embracing the purposeful systemic solution and ensuring that a “quick fix” attempt does not worsen the situation. We in Diaspora, support the position statements from other stakeholders including the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), and Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA).
“We will continue to support positive changes, and growth of our health sector, in all spheres and look forward to engaging with Hon. Abiodun Ganiyu Johnson and other members of the National Assembly in doing the serious work necessary to stop and reverse the brain drain. Diaspora healthcare workers would be willing to return to Nigeria if an enabling environment exists – reversing the trend and helping to solve the problem. Looking forward to solutions.”
