Medical Brain Drain
Majority of Nigerian Doctors Fail to Renew Licenses Amidst Migration Trend
At the recent Induction/Oath Taking Ceremony for the 2022/2023 Batch B Medicine and Surgery graduates at Edo State University, Uzairue, Dr. Victor Kolawole, Deputy Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), unveiled a stark reality: out of the 130,000 doctors registered in Nigeria, a mere 58,000 renewed their annual practice licenses in 2023.
Dr. Kolawole, expressing deep concern, attributed this decline to the prevailing trend of doctors seeking better opportunities abroad. He urged the newly graduated medical professionals to consider serving their country despite the allure of foreign prospects.
Emphasizing the council’s unwavering commitment to maintaining professional standards, Dr. Kolawole announced that increased quotas in training centers would be contingent upon stringent adherence to regulatory guidelines.
Furthermore, he underscored the imperative of upholding ethical standards and complying with the council’s regulations to uphold professional integrity.
In appreciation of Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s support in establishing the university teaching hospital, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, lauded the significant enhancement of medical training and healthcare services in the region.
With the majority of registered doctors failing to renew their licenses, Nigeria’s healthcare sector faces a daunting challenge in retaining its skilled workforce amidst the phenomenon of medical brain drain.
