Some Nigerian Doctors Who Migrated Abroad Are Already Regretting, Seeking To Return — MDCN

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has dished out some advise to doctors.

The MDCN advised newly admitted foreign-trained doctors to consider practicing in Nigeria rather than travelling abroad in search of greener pastures.

According to the MDCN, some of the Nigerian doctors who migrated to other countries are now regretting their decision due to workplace discrimination.

Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, the council's Registrar, stated this on Thursday during the induction of 477 foreign-trained medical and dental graduates, including 469 medicine graduates and eight dentistry graduates, PUNCH reports.

"People continue to say they want to emigrate," he said.

“If you go out, make a plan. You can take advantage of the best training facilities available. But remember that there is no other country but your own, and consider returning. Please, the issue of 'Japa' will not benefit anyone.

“Some of those abroad are already regretting that they ought to have come back. Later in your career over there, when you start experiencing some kind of discrimination, you will know that you have succeeded in wasting your time. We advise that when you go there, always have it in mind that you need to come back home and render care to your people.”

Sanusi also cautioned the newly inducted doctors against participating in medical associations’ strikes.

According to him, while doctors have the constitutional right to associate freely, they are not considered members of the Association of Resident Doctors by the council.

“By the council policy, you are not members of the ARD. However, by the Nigerian constitution, there is the freedom of association, and you can join. But if they call for a strike, don’t join them because your programme is structured and uninterrupted in each of the postings. The moment you interrupt, you will start all over at no cost to the government. That is the implication.

“It is not only for the house officers; it is for doctors as a whole. Yes, a strike is something you can embark on by labour law with prior notification to your employer.

“The fact that you have some in-patients, you already owe them the duty of care. Under no condition must you discharge these patients because you want to go on strike.

“Again, during the strike action, the accident and emergency (unit) must be manned with a duty roster so that any patient in need of your services can be given first aid and asked to go and sort themselves out somewhere. It is not for you to entirely close down the health facility to the public.”

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the Ministry, Dr Ngozi Azodo, lamented the mass exodus of doctors and urged the inducted doctors to render selfless services to patients.

“When people come to you in their most vulnerable state, they know you can help them. Don’t exploit them. Commit today to help your patient, society, and community to the best of your ability for the benefit of humanity. Doctors must care for themselves because if not, they will not be able to care for the rest of humanity.”