A medical doctor and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Save a Life Group, Dr. Richard Okoye, has expressed concern over the conditions faced by professors in the health sector, which he believes are driving younger doctors to seek better opportunities abroad. Dr. Okoye made these remarks during a media interaction at his office in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. He emphasized that building a robust healthcare system hinges on human capital development and highlighted the importance of rewarding individuals based on their contributions to the system.
Dr. Okoye, who is set to receive the Sun Newspapers 2022 Public Service Award on Saturday, January 28, 2023, in Lagos State, called for increased attention to the country’s health sector. He noted, “A hotel can be a structure of a hospital. It is the kind of service that is being delivered in that structure that determines whether it is called a hotel or a hospital.” He explained that the exodus of medical professionals abroad is a result of the lack of a well-established healthcare system. He stressed that developing such a system requires not only the right infrastructure but also qualified personnel to operate it.
He further elaborated on the challenges faced by returning doctors who have trained abroad in advanced treatment methods. “A doctor who has gained expertise in super specialties may return out of patriotism and passion for the people, but if he finds inadequate facilities and a restrictive salary structure at a state-owned Teaching Hospital, his motivation will be diminished,” Dr. Okoye stated. He pointed out that the current salary structures discourage many young doctors from staying in the country, as they often see their professors and senior colleagues struggling financially.
Dr. Okoye highlighted the impact of this situation on the younger generation of doctors, saying, “When they see a professor living in misery, unable to maintain his car, it becomes clear that this is the trajectory they may face.” He stressed that the environment and role models significantly influence the decisions of young professionals.
On the rising incidence of cancer-related ailments in Nigeria, Dr. Okoye lamented the lack of cancer survivors in the country. He stated, “It is unfortunate that today we don’t have cancer survivors in Nigeria. The reason is simple: when people face this problem, they often do not understand its causes or how to address it.”
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