Doctors in Nigeria Blame Mass Exodus on Insecurity

A recent statement by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has linked the mass exodus of medical doctors from the country to the prevalent insecurity. According to Dr. Abubakar Hassan, the Kogi State Chairman of NMA, the spate of kidnappings and abductions targeting medical personnel has made it difficult for doctors to continue practicing in Nigeria.

The NMA chairman lamented that medical personnel have become prime targets for criminal elements, despite their dedication to serving humanity. Hassan stated that the situation has crippled health services across the nation, with Kogi State not being exempted. He added that there are many unreported cases of doctors being held in captivity by their abductors.

Hassan emphasized that the mass exodus of doctors is not just about welfare packages, but also about security. "Even if you pay someone N10,000,000 per month, if they cannot sleep with their two eyes closed, they cannot be guaranteed movement from their residence to the hospital to attend to their patients," he said.

The NMA chairman expressed dismay at the federal government’s failure to provide security for its citizens, citing this as a major hindrance to the practice of the medical profession in Nigeria. He also highlighted the need for the government to critically reinvigorate its security architecture to provide a lasting solution to its security challenges.

In a related development, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, Dr. Jimoh Umar, said that the nationwide strike declared by NARD was a result of the government’s failure to provide security for medical doctors. Umar noted that the association has engaged with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to try to rescue a colleague who was abducted in Kaduna state.

The strike has resulted in the closure of wards and clinics at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, with medical personnel adhering to the directive to stay away from work. The Resident doctors at the hospital have fully complied with the NARD directive, with many expressing concern over the deteriorating security situation in the country.

As the situation continues to unfold, medical professionals in Nigeria are calling on the government to take immediate action to address the security challenges facing the country and ensure the safety of medical personnel.