Nigeria's Medical Lab Scientist Exodus: 14,000 Lost in Five Years – AMLSN Internacional Edição English
Dr. Uche Odinonyenma, who serves as the President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, disclosed that over the past half-decade, at least 14,417 medical lab professionals have left for foreign countries seeking improved work environments and compensation.
Odinonyenma characterized the trend, commonly known as the Japa syndrome, as distressing and a strong indicator of deep-seated issues within Nigeria’s healthcare industry.
An analysis of the migration trends shared by the AMLSN and obtained solely by PUNCH Healthwise Indicates that 159 medical laboratory scientists departed from the country in 2019, with 130 more following suit in 2020.
It was noted that the number increased considerably to 1,348 in 2021 and further climbed to 1,417 in 2022. The count then surged to 4,502 in 2023, with an astounding total of 6,861 researchers moving abroad in just 2024.
Mayo Clinic, a health-oriented website, characterizes medical laboratory scientists as extensively trained healthcare experts whose responsibilities include crucial tasks such as diagnosing, managing, and stopping various diseases.
The health website states that medical laboratory scientists, who typically operate out of the spotlight, offer crucial information that assists doctors and other healthcare professionals in making well-informed choices regarding patient treatment.
"Whether it involves diagnosing infections, cancers, and genetic disorders or tracking chronic illnesses and the efficacy of treatment regimens, medical laboratory scientists play an essential role in providing precise and prompt healthcare evaluations," the statement noted.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, the AMLSN president expressed concern that the monthly exodus of medical laboratory scientists from the country in search of better prospects overseas continues to rise.
"This information can be confirmed with the council that handles the registration of medical laboratory scientists in Nigeria. Moreover, the figure is not fixed; it continues to grow every day," he pointed out.
Odinonyenma attributed the mass migration to poor remuneration, lack of motivation, unfavourable working conditions, and systemic imbalance in leadership and resource allocation within the health sector.
As per his view, the present system fails to provide fair chances for advancement to every healthcare professional.
He remarked, "No one likes staying in a place where their contributions go unrecognized and uncompensated. Regardless of earning a million Naira, once converted to dollars, it becomes insignificant."
He called upon the government to enhance the well-being of healthcare workers, such as medical laboratory scientists, in order to stop the exodus of talent.
Odinonyenma highlighted that medical laboratory scientists have a crucial part in healthcare services, with their abilities and knowledge being vital for precise disease diagnosis and treatment.
The AMLSN president, however, called for equal opportunities for all healthcare professionals in leadership positions, saying that hospital administration should be left to professionals trained in the field.
He criticized the practice of assigning medical doctors without administrative training as hospital administrators.
He said, "We completely concur with the perspective that numerous issues in hospital administration arise due to medical professionals lacking managerial expertise being in leadership positions."
Allow hospital administrators to manage hospitals, or alternatively, provide equal leadership roles to other professionals within the field.
Unless the federal government enforces equitable and comprehensive policies, Odinonyenma highlighted that the healthcare industry will keep facing issues related to loss of skilled professionals and operational shortcomings.
"Regardless of whether they work in public or private practices, harnessing the expertise of healthcare professionals would significantly enhance health outcomes in Nigeria," he stated additionally.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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