A former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, has attributed the growing migration of Nigerian doctors to worsening socioeconomic and security conditions in the country.
Ugwuanyi made this known on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television, where he spoke on the factors driving medical professionals to seek opportunities abroad.
He said the exodus was not driven solely by poor remuneration, stressing that unfavourable work environments and declining job satisfaction were major push factors.
According to him, about 20,000 doctors have left Nigeria in the last seven years, leaving fewer than 40,000 practising doctors to cater for a population of over 200 million people.
The former NMA chairman noted that doctors in Nigeria face numerous challenges locally, while being attracted by better working conditions, security and professional support in other countries.
He explained that medicine is largely driven by passion and the desire to save lives, not the pursuit of wealth, adding that the absence of a supportive system had weakened morale.
Ugwuanyi said deteriorating hospital facilities, insecurity and broader economic hardship had made it difficult for doctors to practise effectively and with fulfilment.
He warned that unless urgent steps were taken to improve working conditions and address systemic challenges, the country could continue to lose its medical workforce to other nations.
