Medical students now plan japa before graduation — NMA
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned that medical students are now planning to leave Nigeria for abroad even before graduating, posing a severe threat to the country's health system.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
The NMA President, Prof Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, revealed that young medical professionals are preparing for foreign qualifying exams during their internships, intending to relocate immediately after registration. This 'japa' trend, driven by poor welfare, working conditions, and insecurity, is causing Nigeria to lose its heavily invested-in medical talent.
Imagine a school where kids studying to become doctors are already planning to leave the country before they even finish their classes! That's what's happening in Nigeria because doctors don't feel safe or well-paid. The country spends a lot of money teaching them, but then they fly off to other places, leaving fewer doctors to help people at home.
Analysis
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has sounded a dire warning regarding the accelerating exodus of medical professionals, a phenomenon colloquially known as 'japa.' What is particularly alarming is the shift in this trend: medical students are now reportedly making plans to emigrate even before completing their training. This proactive preparation for foreign qualifying examinations, often during internships, signifies a profound lack of confidence in the future of medical practice within Nigeria, driven by perceived poor welfare, inadequate working conditions, and safety concerns.
Prof Afekhide-Ernest Omoti
NMA President, Prof Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, articulated the gravity of the situation, stating that medical students are already envisioning a future abroad due to the bleak prospects they perceive at home. He emphasized that the country invests substantial resources in training these doctors, only to lose them to other nations, resulting in a significant loss for both the government and the Nigerian populace. Omoti stressed that this unsustainable trend necessitates urgent intervention from the Federal Government to create an environment conducive for doctors to build their careers domestically. He highlighted that most doctors would prefer to remain in Nigeria if their welfare, safety, and working conditions were adequately addressed.
Minimum Retention Package
In response to the escalating crisis, the NMA has submitted a proposal to the government for a minimum retention package designed to encourage doctors to stay. Omoti clarified that the association is not demanding salaries equivalent to those in developed countries but rather a compensation level that would ensure doctors are content and secure enough to remain in Nigeria. This package aims to address the core grievances driving the 'japa' movement, offering a pragmatic solution to stem the flow of talent. The NMA believes that a reasonable improvement in conditions, rather than parity with international standards, could significantly alter doctors' decisions.
National Policy
Beyond remuneration, the NMA has also addressed the alarming frequency of attacks and harassment against healthcare workers. A national policy against intimidation and harassment of healthcare professionals has been developed and released, placing responsibility on hospitals to provide security and ensure the prosecution of perpetrators. This policy also mandates compensation for affected workers. Omoti called for enhanced security measures, including CCTV installations and adequate personnel in emergency areas, while also urging improved communication between hospitals, patients, and relatives to manage expectations and mitigate frustration, which can sometimes lead to aggression against medical staff.
Key points
- Nigerian medical students are now planning to emigrate before completing their training, a trend known as 'japa'.
- The NMA President, Prof Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, attributes this to a lack of future prospects, poor welfare, and insecurity.
- The NMA has proposed a 'minimum retention package' to the government, aiming to make doctors happy to remain in the country without demanding foreign-equivalent salaries.
- A national policy against intimidation and harassment of healthcare workers has been developed, requiring hospitals to provide security and prosecute attackers.
- The government invests heavily in training doctors, only to lose them to other countries, impacting the nation's health system.
If the Nigerian government adopts the NMA's proposed minimum retention package and implements the national policy against healthcare worker harassment, it could significantly improve doctors' welfare and safety. This might encourage more medical professionals to remain in the country, strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring better access to care for citizens.
Should the 'japa' trend continue unchecked, Nigeria faces a severe and unsustainable depletion of its medical workforce, leading to a collapse of its healthcare system. This would result in drastically reduced access to medical care, poorer health outcomes for the population, and a wasted investment in training future doctors.