See How Japa Syndrome Has Depleted Nigeria’s Health Workforce

Nigeria is a country that is fertile, rich and blessed. Unfortunately, the milk and the honey are exploited by a few and countries who see great potential in the nation’s workforce milk it with keeping their pasture green.  

Whether you complain or make laws against it, Nigerian medical practitioners will continue to Japa in search of a better life.

The West African giant is increasingly becoming a training ground that hardly benefits from its good products. 

In a very short time to come, there might only remain trainee nurses to attend to patients in public hospitals.

You see, the healthcare system in Nigeria has been trifled with by the government for a very long time.

Professionals in the medical space have lamented, protested, and fought with little result to show for their agitation for a good working environment.

This situation has led to the migration of doctors and nurses like other professionals in Nigeria.

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The exodus of workers in the health sector started first with nurses who massed out of the country to foreign lands.

These nurses left to save lives in other countries, throwing the towel in on a system that is not as rewarding.

In the last five years, the number of migrating doctors and nurses grew astronomically.

Japa Syndrome In The Healthcare System

A lot of Nigerian medical practitioners are practicing abroad according to information gathered.

As of December 2023, the total number of Nigerian doctors licensed to practice in the UK is 12,198.

According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) about 42,000 Nigerian trained nurses left the country in three years.

Effect Of Japa On Healthcare

The Japa syndrome is often used to describe the challenges faced in the healthcare system.

Some of the challenges are listed below.

Health workers migration:

The country’s best medical professionals are leaving for better-paying opportunities abroad.

This has led to a shortage of health workers, with nurses, pharmacists, anesthetists, and consultants avoiding employment with federal institutions.

Economic challenges:

Nigeria’s persistently challenging economic situation is a primary reason behind the “Japa syndrome”.

This includes high unemployment rates, inflation, and limited access to quality education and healthcare.

Underfunded public hospitals:

The country’s public hospitals are underfunded and under-managed.

Essential drug prices:

The soaring prices of essential drugs impact the Nigerian economy.

Health status deterioration:

This can lead to developmental problems, a rise in health conditions and medical morbidity.

It can increase death rates and an overall deterioration in the health status of the citizens.

The questions begging for answers are simple.

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Do these nurses work in a good environment? Do they get promotions, allowances, and incentives due to them at the right time?

On the other hand, the power supply is porous and hospitals are Ill-equipped to attend to patients’ needs

These and many more are the reasons the number of nurses traveling abroad to work is on the increase.