The Founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has urged government at all levels and other employers of doctors to consider giving them improved working conditions and better salaries.
The eminent lawyer said cleaners who work in hospitals in the Western countries earn more than Nigerian doctors.
Babalola spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the seventh induction ceremony of the ABUAD medical doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Babalola, who bemoaned the poor remuneration of Nigerian doctors, noted that many doctors and nurses leave the country due to meager emoluments paid to them.
The ABUAD founder said the mass exodus of medical professionals has left Nigeria’s health system in a precarious situation.
He added that many public hospitals and healthcare centres were struggling to cope with the shortage of doctors, leading to a decline in quality of healthcare services.
Babalola urged the government to increase the salaries for doctors and ensure prompt payment as well as provide good working environment with modern facilities.
This, the legal luminary said, would help to stem the brain drain in the medical profession and encourage doctors to remain in Nigeria after completing their training.
He said: “The reason many Nigerian doctors and nurses leave this country after completing their training is because the emoluments paid in naira are much less than what cleaners in hospitals in overseas earn.
“Worse still, the doctors in many states and government hospitals have not been paid for many months. I, therefore, appeal to government to increase the salaries of doctors and ensure prompt payment.
“Finally, I congratulate the newly qualified doctors. On our part, we have fulfilled our promise of getting you qualified within the specified time. Do not lose hope, Nigeria will be better.”