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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The National Obstetrics Fistula Centre (NOFIC), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has expressed concern over the continued mass exodus of doctors and nurses across Nigerian hospitals.
The hospital said in one day this month, four of its nurses left the hospital for greener pastures in Saudi Arabia.
Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Johnson Obuna, disclosed this to a socio-cultural women organization, Umuada Igbo who visited the hospital to offset the medical bills of some indigent patients in the hospital.
Obuna, Professor of Gynecology lamented that exodus of doctors, nurses and other health workers in the country, has led to the shortage of medical personnel in various hospitals across the country.
He revealed that in NOFIC Ebonyi State, the hospital advertised for 28 doctors to fill some vacancies and that only about 8 applied for the job.
He also said UCH advertised for many doctors and only less than 10 of them applied for the job and described the situation as a problem all over the country.
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“The only challenge we have now is that doctors are leaving the country, nurses are leaving the country. So, those who supposed to take care of the patients, to prevent fistula are leaving because of the poor remuneration they are receiving. A doctor’s salary cannot buy patrol, a nurse’s salary cannot buy yam in the market. So, many people are leaving.
“We just advertised for 28 doctors recently and we got only about 8 doctors. UCH advertised for doctors and only less than 10 doctors applied for it. So, it is a problem all over the country. Today, this month alone, about 4 nurses have resigned from this NOFIC and left for greener pastures and that is what is happening all over the country.”
He urged the federal government to begin to pay doctors, nurses and other health workers very well and ensure improved security to end their exodus.
“I have told those in government that the only solution to this is to pay doctors, nurses and health workers very well. Nigerian workers are not generally well paid but when you now allow those who are taking care of a nation to leave, it is a problem and all the world there is no way doctor’s salary and nurse’s salary are the same way with other health workers. It is not done anywhere because it takes a lot to train a doctor.
“So, we have to look into all these things to ensure that we prevent our workforce. If I travel now to Saudi Arabia, my salary will be about N8m monthly without tax, no tax and they will give me flight to travel home once or twice in a year and they will be giving me food every day.
“The Federal Government can decide to say no tax, it is a way of incentive and that’s what Saudi Arabia did and you see Nigerians there. They pay you big money, no tax, they give you accommodation, light and foods.
“This is why Nigerians are going there. So, there are many ways to keep doctors in the country and then, make sure they are not kidnapped. Many people left because of insecurity, they left. So, we are in serious trouble and when you see a doctor becoming angry, we are under pressure”, Obuna stated.
