Nigerian doctors abroad reply FG, demand improved security, salaries

Some Nigerian-born doctors based in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada have stated conditions that will encourage them to consider returning to the country.

Reacting to the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration aimed at wooing an estimated 12,400 Nigerian-trained doctors practising abroad, the medical practitioners said they would return if the Federal Government addressed insecurity and offered a competitive welfare package.

President Bola Tinubu had on Monday approved the policy to address the continued exodus of Nigerian doctors abroad.

The policy provides some incentives to retain Nigerian doctors at home and encourage those outside the country to return.

Among the proposed packages is the provision of soft loans/grants to returned migrant health workers interested in establishing private health facilities.

However, some of the doctors, in separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH, said Nigeria needed more than a national policy on health workforce migration to revive its deteriorating medical sector.

The aggregate of the doctors’ demands centered on security, a good salary, provision of infrastructure, and a better economy.

A medical doctor in the United States, Fikayo Benson, said he and his colleagues overseas would return home if the government could offer attractive remuneration and address insecurity.

Benson said, “I believe that Nigerian doctors practising abroad would be open to returning home if the government can guarantee safety, a competitive welfare package, and necessary amenities and infrastructure.

“The challenges we faced at home were primarily related to security, welfare, and healthcare facilities. If the Nigerian government can provide conditions that are comparable to what we have abroad, I would be among the first to return. It is important to recognise that every country has its own set of challenges, and I won’t speak negatively about Nigeria.

“Moreover, the desire to serve one’s country resonates deeply with many of us in the Diaspora. We are not just motivated by financial incentives but also by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our fellow Nigerians.

“However, for this to be a reality, there needs to be concerted efforts from the government to address the systemic issues that led to the exodus of healthcare professionals in the first place.

“If these conditions are met, I am confident that we will see a significant number of doctors returning home, eager to contribute to the nation’s healthcare system.”

Similarly, a Nigerian doctor in the United Kingdom, Adefemi Adeoye, said a safe and conducive working environment would encourage some of his colleagues to return to their fatherland.

He said, “Apart from giving incentives, the government must also assure us of safety and a conducive environment.

“Also, for any society to retain its workforce, they must be well treated in terms of payment. So, it is not limited to medical professionals; it is encompassing. The world is becoming global, and professionals will always want to go where they can maximise the benefits of whatever they have put into developing themselves. So yes, financial reward is significant in bringing people back.”

But a female doctor based in Coventry, UK, waxed spiritual when asked if she would return to Nigeria.

“God forbid! Are you joking? I have not seen what will make me return, even if they give me N50m per month. I will not go back. Affliction shall not rise again a second time,” she said.

“But truth be told, it is not everybody that likes the cold weather here. I have a friend who wants to return to Nigeria, but she is scared. The government must fix security. Some hoodlums just abducted 50 medical students in Benue and are demanding a huge ransom. Where will their parents find it? Everything is not just about money; let them fix security first.”

A Nigerian couple in Canada who are equally doctors also said they had no plan to return to Nigeria anytime soon.

The couple, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Nigeria needed more than just the new national policy on health workforce migration to revive its deteriorating health sector.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the husband, a dentist, said the persisting insecurity challenges, poor economy, and widespread corruption made it difficult for Nigerians abroad to come back home.

He said, “Wooing healthcare workers back to Nigeria is a tall order, and I say this because fixing the health sector is also about fixing Nigeria, and that has to start with a lot of underground work. It has to start with building trust with the people, and making sure that justice, truth, accountability, and security are a part of our society.

“Even if they implement the policy well, how am I sure it is going to be worthwhile if I return home? How am I sure another government is not going to come and change the policy? Political instability and policy flip-flopping are issues.”

The wife, who is a veterinary doctor, said Nigeria was behind Canada in medical practice.

“What the vet technicians in Canada do as their daily routine, most professors in Nigeria cannot even do.

“The difference in medical practice here and in Nigeria is just too huge if we are talking about professionalism, facilities, and the availability of health insurance.

“I won’t come back even if the new policy is well implemented. If the Nigerian government is wooing doctors practising abroad back, they have to consider not just the welfare of the doctors but the patients as well. A lot has gone wrong with the Nigerian healthcare system, and it is beyond the welfare of healthcare workers.”