By Chukwuemeka Umesi
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A recent report by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has revealed a staggering number of Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives are leaving the country to practice in the United Kingdom. Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, a total of 3,173 Nigerian nurses and midwives were licensed to practice in the UK, bringing the total number of Nigerian-trained professionals in the UK to 13,656.This mass exodus has raised concerns about the impact on Nigeria’s healthcare system, which is already facing significant challenges.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Nigeria as one of 55 countries facing the most pressing health workforce challenges related to universal health coverage.According to the NMC report, Nigeria is one of the top non-UK countries of education for nurses and midwives practicing in the UK, along with India, the Philippines, Romania, and Ghana. The report noted that “there were a total of 826,418 nursing and midwifery professionals on our register” as of March 31, 2024, with Nigerian-trained professionals making up 1.65% of the total.
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives has expressed concerns about the brain drain, stating that over 75,000 nurses and midwives left the country in five years to seek greener pastures. This has worsened an ongoing shortage of health workers, posing significant threats to the healthcare delivery system and limiting access to care for many people.The UK government has taken steps to address the issue, placing Nigeria and 53 other countries on the red list of countries that should not be actively targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers. However, the NMC report suggests that the number of international joiners continues to rise, with nearly 60,000 new nursing and midwifery professionals registering with the council this year alone.
Experts point to several factors driving this trend, including better pay and working conditions in the UK, as well as the lack of investment in Nigeria’s healthcare system and the poor treatment of health workers. “The Nigerian government needs to address the push factors driving this brain drain, including the lack of infrastructure, equipment, and personnel in the healthcare sector,” said Dr. Adenike Jones, a healthcare expert at the University of Lagos.
“The government needs to provide incentives to retain healthcare professionals, such as better pay, training opportunities, and improved working conditions.”The Nigerian government has acknowledged the challenges facing the healthcare sector, including the brain drain of nurses and midwives. In a statement, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said, “We are working to address the challenges facing the healthcare sector, including the brain drain of nurses and midwives.
We are committed to providing better pay and working conditions for our healthcare professionals.”However, critics argue that the government’s efforts are insufficient to address the scale of the problem. “The government needs to do more to address the root causes of the brain drain, including corruption, mismanagement, and lack of investment in the healthcare sector,” said Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar, a public health expert at the University of Abuja.
As the Nigerian government grapples with the challenges of brain drain and healthcare delivery, the UK’s gain may come at a significant cost to Nigeria’s healthcare system. The exodus of Nigerian nurses and midwives to the UK has sparked a debate about the ethics of international recruitment and the need for sustainable solutions to address the global shortage of healthcare professionals.
Timeline of EventsApril 1, 2023: NMC report reveals 3,173 Nigerian nurses and midwives were licensed to practice in the UK in the past year.March 31, 2024: Total number of Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives practicing in the UK reaches 13,656.2023: WHO identifies Nigeria as one of 55 countries facing the most pressing health workforce challenges related to universal health coverage.2023: National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives reports over 75,000 nurses and midwives left the country in five years to seek greener pastures.