Nigerian Medical Association Attributes Doctor Exodus to Rising Insecurity....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has highlighted the alarming trend of medical doctors leaving Nigeria, attributing this mass exodus primarily to the increasing insecurity in the country. During a recent press briefing in Lokoja, Kogi State, NMA Chairman Dr. Abubakar Hassan expressed deep concerns over the safety of medical personnel, who have increasingly become targets for criminal elements.

Speaking about the ongoing nationwide strike initiated by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Hassan noted that the deteriorating security situation has severely impacted healthcare services across Nigeria, including Kogi State. He pointed out that many cases of doctors being kidnapped remain unreported due to fear of reprisal or further insecurity.

“There are many others that are unreported. Some people have decided that they won’t use the kidnap of their colleagues to make the news for security reasons,” he stated. He emphasized the distressing reality that doctors, once healers, are now often becoming patients themselves due to injuries and trauma suffered during kidnappings.

Hassan elaborated on the situation, stating, “Imagine a doctor going out in the morning to practice, only to become a patient needing care due to abduction. This reflects the dire situation we face in Nigeria.” He added that the fear of insecurity is driving many medical professionals to seek opportunities in other countries, where they feel safer and more secure.

He referenced the “JAPA syndrome,” a term used to describe the trend of Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad, explaining that it’s not solely about financial incentives. “Even if you were to pay someone N10,000,000 per month, if he cannot sleep with his two eyes closed, such a person cannot be guaranteed movement from his residence to the hospital to attend to patients,” he remarked.

Dr. Hassan criticized the federal government for its failure to provide adequate security, calling it a significant barrier to practicing medicine in Nigeria. He expressed optimism regarding Kogi State’s local leadership, citing Governor Ahmed Ododo’s willingness to listen to health professionals. “The Kogi state NMA under my watch will ensure that strike doesn’t become an option,” he assured.

The NMA Chairman acknowledged the ongoing NARD strike as a last resort to voice grievances over the lack of security for medical practitioners. He reiterated the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity, urging the government to revamp the country’s security architecture to restore confidence among both healthcare workers and the general public.

In a conversation with Dr. Jimoh Umar, President of the Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, he confirmed full compliance with the NARD strike. Umar called on the government to act urgently on their demands, particularly in light of the recent abduction of their colleague, Ganiyat Popoola, who has been missing since December 2023.

“The security of doctors in the country is deteriorating daily,” Umar stated. He stressed the need for urgent government action to protect medical practitioners from kidnappers targeting them for ransom.