Poor Incentives Responsible for Brain Drain in Health Sector – NMA

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Poor incentive has been identified as a key factor responsible for internal and external brain drain in the health sector, says Edo State Branch Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Prof Afekhide Omoti.

Omoti, who decried this alarming rate particularly in the health sector, spoke at the NMA Edo state Branch, 2016 Annual General Meeting /Scientific Conference with the theme, “Medical Practice in a Depressed Economy”.

While lamenting the frequent disruption of services as a result of industrial actions by the various groups of healthcare professionals, he also frowned on the unnecessary and unhealthy struggle for supremacy by various paramedical practitioners.
Explaining that the AGM was to X-ray the challenges in the health sector as well as proffer solutions, the Edo NMA chairman appealed to the state government for the payment of competitive salaries to doctors in its employ when the New Central Hospital complex in Benin City comes into operation.

He also sought sponsorship of a major medical/surgical outreach programme for doctors in the state, particularly those in the rural areas of Edo North Senatorial district in the state.

Omoti therefore asked the state government to urgently address the issue of brain drain in the health sector, even as he expressed dissatisfaction with the issue of multiple taxation.