Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group, has called on the Nigerian government to enhance the remuneration of health workers to prevent the ongoing migration of doctors and other medical professionals from the country.
Speaking at his investiture as the Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Afolabi highlighted the detrimental effects of this mass exodus, known locally as “Japa,” on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Afolabi emphasized that the migration of skilled health professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, to countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, has severely impacted healthcare delivery in Nigeria. He noted that these countries offer better remuneration, modern work tools, and conducive working environments, which attract talent from around the world.
“Many of our competent medical hands have been lost to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia among other developed economies where sufficient encouragement in terms of remuneration, modern work tools, and a conducive working environment have been provided to attract talents from all over the world,” Afolabi stated.
He further elaborated on the repercussions of this trend, noting that the remaining health professionals in Nigeria are overworked and underpaid, which adversely affects the quality of healthcare services available to patients.
“This migration by young Nigerians has negatively affected almost every sector of the country, but it is safe to conclude that the health sector has been the biggest victim of this Japa syndrome. The few doctors, nurses, and other health professionals that are left in the country are overworked and grossly underpaid when compared to their counterparts globally,” Afolabi said.
He urged the government to take strategic and proactive measures to address this issue by improving the pay for health workers and creating a conducive working environment to ensure their professional fulfillment and retention in the country.
“Our governments, at all levels, need to be strategic and proactive in tackling this menace. Pay for health workers must be improved while a conducive environment that will make them thrive and be fulfilled professionally must be provided,” he added.
Afolabi also commended the foresight of the proprietors and management of Gerar University of Medical Sciences in establishing the institution, especially at a time when the country needs to produce more quality health workers. He expressed confidence that the university has the potential to become a center of excellence in medical education and research.
Prof. Niyi Adetoro, Vice Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences, shared the institution’s vision of leveraging technology and innovation.
He highlighted the need for support from corporate organizations and philanthropic individuals to achieve the university’s ambitious goals, which include raising an endowment fund of N500 million.
