FG unveils national policy to combat health workforce migration

In a bid to address the growing exodus of healthcare professionals, often referred to as the “Japa syndrome,” the Federal Government has introduced the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration.

This policy aims to reverse the alarming trend by not only curbing the departure of health workers but also retaining the trained workforce and encouraging those who have already left to return.

Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the government’s awareness of the severe consequences if this migration trend continues unchecked.

He noted that a significant number of health workers are leaving Nigeria, with the United Kingdom being the most popular destination for better opportunities.

With records showing over 3,000 medical doctors requested letters of good standing from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in 2022 alone with 68% heading to the UK, it said the time has come to put a stop to the syndrome.

While the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) reported a significant jump in nurses seeking verification to migrate with 52% choosing the UK and 36% opting for the US, the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) saw 89% of its total migration between 2018 and 2022 occur in just two years, 2021 and 2022.

Pharmacists are also leaving in droves with Canada being the top destination for 72% of those who migrated through the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) in 2022.

Optometrists and physiotherapists are also fleeing the country, with the UK being the preferred destination for 91% of physiotherapists who left through the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTBN) in 2022.

The national policy took cognizance of the factors driving Health Workforce Migration including a combination of economic, professional and environmental factors that drive the migration of health workforce.

Economic instability, low and non-competitive salaries, poor working conditions, and inadequate resources within the country’s healthcare system also contributed to the mass exodus.

For many healthcare workers, the opportunity for better professional growth abroad, coupled with the chance to work in better-equipped facilities, is too attractive to resist.

The impact of this migration is profound, leading to longer patient waiting times, reduced access to specialized care, and an overall decline in the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria.

The situation, the policy document noted, has exacerbated the existing healthcare crisis, making it difficult for the country to address public health challenges effectively.

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Pate, while speaking on a Television magazine programme, said the rationale behind the policy is a response to the pressing need to retain Nigeria’s healthcare workers and ensure the country can meet its healthcare needs.

He said: “The Health Workforce Policy on Migration is a managed migration policy, a valuable resource that has gone through several iterations of consultations with key actors, professional bodies, health workers from across the country, and other ministries.

“While primarily focused on health, the policy is also connected to the broader effort by the Nigerian government to address migration issues and harness the country’s potential, especially considering its large youth population.

“Many of these youths are in school, learning, and have high aspirations. Nigeria is seen as a country of the future, and the challenge lies in harnessing this demographic potential.

“Over the last five years, almost 17,000 health workers have been trained, but more than half of them have left the country. Younger doctors, in particular, tend to leave after their training due to demand elsewhere, better training opportunities, and the challenges they face within Nigeria.

“The policy aims to address these issues by retaining talent and providing the necessary services to Nigerians, while also facilitating the return of those who have left.

“Ultimately, the goal is to create a health system that reduces the push factors driving healthcare workers to leave, despite the pull from more advanced countries”.

The National Policy on Health Workforce Migration has several key goals that include seeking to produce an adequate and appropriately trained human resource base for delivering integrated, people-centred healthcare at all levels.

The policy also aims to establish mutually beneficial migration agreements with other countries, ensuring a seamless flow of healthcare professionals both into and out of Nigeria.

Another critical objective is to address the inequitable distribution of health workers across the country which includes offering competitive benefits and security to healthcare workers in rural and underserved areas and ensuring these professionals remain in these communities for a specified period.

The policy also aims to expand the capacity of training facilities and ensure they receive adequate funding and infrastructural upgrades within the next two years.