Rate at which doctors are leaving Nigeria disheartening, MDCAN says

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, has expressed concern over the rate at which their colleagues are leave the country for greener pastures.

Chairman of MDCAN, Dr Dare Olulana, who spoke after its yearly ward round charity on Monday said the development is worrisome as the association is seriously being affected by the mass exodus.

According to Olulana, most of his colleagues have left to work in places and countries where the value of their training can be well utilised and appreciated.

He said, “It is very disheartening because when some of us were in training, it was not really a problem, patients didn’t pay out of pocket. They were taken care of and they could run into thousands.

“But these days, you go back home unfulfilled; unhappy with your job, and sometimes you get depressed because you lose your patients who couldn’t afford the cost of care.

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“As a result of this, many doctors are leaving the country because you just don’t feel happy seeing your patients die. You want to work in a place and country where the value of your training can be well utilised and appreciated.”

He added, “It happens every day; doctors are leaving the country for greener pastures. In the past two days, I have seen colleagues who called that they were now well settled in the UK and these are consultants.

“In Lagos, about 60 doctors leave the services of Lagos State every month, aside those working in private hospitals.

“We don’t have the statistics for Ibadan yet but I can tell you a lot are on their way out, as some are also filling forms, waiting for the opportunity to get out of the system.”

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