By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
A Consultant Neurologist on the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof. Kolawole Wahab, says the rising migration of docs overseas is threatening efficient healthcare supply in Nigeria.
Wahab said this on Wednesday in Ilorin, whereas delivering a paper presentation on the Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) studies that the convention is a part of actions organised to mark the chapter’s 2026 Physician’s Week, with the theme, “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria”.
Wahab, who’s the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, mentioned the present wave of migration, popularly known as “Japa syndrome”, was totally different from the previous.
According to him, up to now, professionals travelled primarily for coaching and returned to contribute to nationwide improvement.
He recognized poor remuneration, unfavourable working circumstances, insufficient infrastructure and insecurity as main drivers of the exodus.
According to him, the results are already being felt in hospitals by lengthy ready instances and delayed emergency response.
Wahab mentioned Nigeria at the moment has about 4 docs per 10,000 inhabitants, in comparison with the World Health Organisation (WHO) advisable ratio of 30 docs per 10,000 inhabitants.
“There is need for urgent government intervention through improved remuneration, better welfare packages, upgraded infrastructure and enhanced security for doctors,” he mentioned.
The neurologist expressed concern on the psychological well being implications for docs on account of burnout.
According to him, extreme workload and extended obligation hours had been exposing docs to anxiousness, melancholy and different psychological challenges.
“Doctors working 24-hour call without adequate rest could easily be overwhelmed, and patients sometimes mistook exhaustion for negligence,” he mentioned.
He known as for normal psychological well being assessments and help for medical professionals.
Also talking, a Consultant Cardiologist at UITH, Prof. Philip Kolo, known as for enough manpower to implement the ministry of well being’s suggestions on working hours.
He spoke on the sub-theme, “Saving the Savers: Promoting Physicians’ Well-being and Preventing Burnout and Cardiovascular Diseases”.
He mentioned docs attending to greater than 40 sufferers had been nonetheless pressured to see extra attributable to manpower scarcity, a scenario that might result in extreme stress and burnout.
On cardiovascular well being, Kolo listed smoking, hypertension, diabetes and weight problems as main threat elements and urged medical practitioners and the general public to prioritise common well being checks and early detection.
“Hypertension and diabetes can remain undiagnosed for years before resulting in serious complications, including stroke,” he warned
Earlier in his welcome handle, the Chairman of NMA-Kwara, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, known as for pressing coverage reforms.
Rotimi additionally known as for improved working circumstances to handle the migration of docs and safe the way forward for medical follow.
He recognized manpower scarcity, assault on physicians, insecurity, poor remuneration, burnout and challenges of modernisation and digitalisation as main issues confronting the occupation.
He mentioned the security, dignity and welfare of docs should be prioritised, noting that physicians working in unsafe and unconducive environments couldn’t present optimum healthcare providers.
The NMA chairman additionally known as for elevated coaching capability and reforms in medical schooling to fulfill the rising demand arising from inhabitants development.
Rotimi urged medical faculties to replace their curricula in keeping with fashionable realities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Franca Ofili/Esenvosa Izah
