In a striking revelation, Nigeria is poised to secure the second-highest position in the tally of foreign-trained doctors in the United Kingdom.
Remarkably, since May 29, 2023, a notable influx of 1,197 doctors trained in Nigeria has journeyed to the United Kingdom, as reported by Punch.
At present, India retains its status as the country boasting the highest count of foreign-trained doctors in the UK, as documented by the General Medical Council of the UK.
Delving deeper, between May 29, 2023, and December 1, 2023, precisely 1,197 doctors, originally trained in Nigeria, received licensure, contributing to the cumulative total of Nigerian doctors authorized to practice in the UK, now standing at 12,198.
However, it's important to note that this tally excludes doctors trained in Nigeria but in other countries.
Further insights from the report unveil a nuanced distribution of 73 Nigerian-trained doctors specializing in anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine, 61 in emergency medicine, 241 in general medicine, 207 in obstetrics and gynecology, 17 in occupational medicine, 16 in ophthalmology, 164 in pediatrics, and 50 in pathology.
Additionally, there are 35 in public health, 357 in psychiatry, 29 in psychiatry, and 135 in surgery.
This trend underscores a notable surge in the migration of medical professionals seeking opportunities abroad.
In 2015, a mere 233 Nigerian doctors relocated to the UK. The subsequent years witnessed an upward trajectory—279 in 2016, 475 in 2017, 852 in 2018, and a substantial increase to 1,347 in 2019.
Despite the operational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 saw 833 doctors making the move, and in 2021, the figure reached 932.
Expressing concern about this brain drain, Prof. Emem Bassey, Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, highlighted a broader issue. He stated, “Some African countries are actively recruiting from Nigeria, with the West Coast seeking our specialists. Many are now venturing to places like Sierra Leone and Gambia, earning wages three to four times higher than what they make back home. The health sector is grappling with a severe manpower crisis, with specialists, including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, and various health professionals, departing the country in significant numbers.”
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