Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced concerns regarding the migration of medical doctors from Nigeria, labeling the situation as alarming.

He urged government officials at all levels to prioritize the welfare of healthcare professionals in order to mitigate brain drain in the sector and improve the quality of healthcare services.

Obasanjo made these remarks on Thursday during the 44th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which took place at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

In his lecture titled “Evolving Roles Of Doctors In Healthcare Management and Nation Building,” the former president, represented by Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, the Medical Director of FMC, expressed that the ongoing economic crisis has driven health practitioners to seek better opportunities abroad.

Obasanjo emphasized, “Resident doctors are fundamental to the medical services provided to citizens, and Nigeria is no exception.”

“It is therefore very necessary for government at all levels to ensure that there are good welfare packages for the doctors without whom it will be impossible to render any meaningful service.

“Having seen the amount of works resident doctors are offering in our hospitals, I therefore appeal that we should see to their welfare.

“The rate at which Japa syndrome is affecting our health sector is alarming, a lot of our sub specialties are now under lock and key. We can’t operate in these offices again because the specialists have left the country.”

Governor Dapo Abiodun expressed gratitude to the doctors for their valuable contributions to society, despite the difficult circumstances they face. 

In a speech delivered by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, Abiodun encouraged medical professionals to prioritize environmental protection, highlighting that medical waste is responsible for 30% of global environmental issues.

“We doctors need to start paying attention to the environment from the statistics I heard last week, healthcare waste and activities contribute to 30% of environmental challenges across the globe.

“So if we don’t start doing something about environment then what planet are we leaving for our children. So, I want us to think about our waste, how can we recycle them, how can we go back and be innovative in what we use,” he said.

The president of the association, Dele Olaitan, emphasized earlier that doctors are essential to the healthcare system. He encouraged his colleagues to enhance their efforts by providing the highest standards of medical care to patients.