In the past seven years, a quiet but steady exodus has swept through Nigeria’s healthcare system. Over 16,000 doctors once the heartbeat of hospitals across the country have packed their bags, leaving behind stethoscopes and scrubs for passports and plane tickets. Their destination? Anywhere they believe offers a shot at a better life.
Driven by a mix of frustration, burnout, and dwindling faith in the system, these medical professionals are seeking greener pastures in countries like the UK, Canada, and the United States. Many cite poor working conditions, low pay, insecurity, and lack of basic medical equipment as reasons for their departure. For some, it’s the unbearable weight of watching patients die from treatable conditions due to the absence of facilities. For others, it’s simply the dream of a stable future for themselves and their families.
Dr. Ijeoma, a once-passionate pediatrician in Enugu, now lives in Ontario, Canada. She recalls the breaking point that led to her decision: “I had just lost a child to malaria because we had no oxygen in the emergency room. I cried all night. That was the moment I knew I had to leave.”
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The consequences of this brain drain are deeply felt across Nigeria. Hospitals are understaffed. Patients queue endlessly. Specialists are becoming rare gems in public facilities. Rural areas, in particular, suffer the most, often going months without a resident doctor.
While the government continues to make promises of reforms and improvements, the numbers tell a different storyone of a system that’s losing its best minds at an alarming rate.
As each plane takes off with another white coat onboard, the question echoes louder: How long can Nigeria afford to lose its healers?
