Angela Onwuzoo As the brain drain in the health sector popularly known as japa syndrome remains unabated, medical experts have said the disturbing trend will continue to impact negatively on treatment outcomes. The experts pointed out that as a result of a shortage of manpower and equipment; many physicians just treat their patients based on symptoms, warning that relying only on such a treatment approach could lead to wrong diagnosis and medication. They noted that owing to the lack of personnel and state-of-the-art equipment in the country’s health facilities, Nigerians with deep pockets continue to seek medical care abroad.
Chief Executive Officer of Diamed Healthcare Centre, a new multi-specialty facility in Lagos, Dr Abiola Olorode, disclosed this at an event on the forthcoming launch of the health facility. She identified a lack of advanced medical tools and over-reliance on symptom-based treatments as key drivers of medical tourism in Nigeria. “This unfortunately reduces doctors to just symptom-based treatments, which can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary medications,” Olorode said.
No fewer than 10,296 Nigeria-trained doctors are presently practicing in the United Kingdom, according to the Nigerian Medical Association. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, in 2023.
said the country still needs about 400,000 health workers to cater to the healthcare needs of Nigerians effectively. The Diamed CEO said that if Nigeria must reduc.