Nigerian medical doctors wishing to leave the country for overseas jobs may have to reconsider their stance, owing to the rising COVID-19 pandemic globally, their senior colleagues have said.

Senior health care workers say this is not the time for doctors to be in a rush to leave the country, “irrespective of the attractive welfare package beckoning abroad.”

They hinged their counselling on what they described as “the multiple risks presented by the pandemic, especially for health workers.”

Recall that Nigeria Immigration Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, recently intercepted 58 Nigerian doctors who were travelling to the UK.

The NIS said 56 of the doctors did not have requisite visa for their journey.

It has been observed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, health workers were leaving the country in droves, attributing their action to poor working conditions, lack of job satisfaction, low wage and high tax, among others.

In separate interviews with PUNCH HealthWise on the issue, medical experts urged doctors who wish to leave the country to consider their safety first, rather than the welfare package and opportunities being offered.

A past President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Dr. Omede Idris, said the COVID-19 pandemic had presented lots of uncertainties globally that require caution before one thinks of leaving the country.

Idris, also a former President, Nigerian Medical Association, said, “I am so shocked that some doctors are going for greener pastures now. This is the time the whole world is saying, ‘Stay where you are.’

The COVID-19 situation that we are in now, nobody can predict what will happen the next minute. Whatever greener pastures they want to acquire, they may not be there to enjoy it.

“Those desperate to leave the country should also know that they are going to another nation. Sometimes, what they think they will get may never be as expected when they get there.

“So, let them not be in a rush to leave the country.”

And many of them will be vulnerable to covid-19 going by their ages. I guess they didn't truly know what they were signing for. Nigerian government actually saved them from meeting their doom

UK government are paying 60,000 pounds for family of health workers who died of covid, not long ago our health workers were collecting 5000 naira as hazard allowance. Nonsensehttps://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/929430&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjgkJuh59jqAhVHg3IEHU3fDigQFjACegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw0AjpzWi9MS9vE08eI5R5WD

RIHMEEK:
UK government are paying 60,000 pounds for family of health workers who died of covid, not long ago our health workers were collecting 5000 naira as hazard allowance. Nonsense

As they're going illegally, tell me how they want to pay them 60k pounds without work permit? Even if they give them some shady emploment in some private hospitals, if they die, their family would have no legal grounds to claim anything, not even their corpses.

We already know that Nigerian government and the politicians that make up the government have been irresponsible, it's not doctors alone who are affected, it is everyone; lawyers, teachers etc. Nobody can stop anyone from leaving, but if you want to leave, leave with common sense.

loneprof:


As they're going illegally, tell me how they want to pay them 60k pounds without papers.

We already know that Nigerian government and the politicians that make up the government have been irresponsible, it's not doctors alone who are affected, it is everyone; lawyers, accountants etc. Nobody can stop anyone from leaving, but if you want to leave, leave with common sense.

Do you really think that amount of medical personnels will leave without a solid arrangements?

Why not make them offer they cannot reject.

RIHMEEK:
Do you really think that amount of medical personnels will leave without a solid arrangements?

Actually, I thought of that. Unless the UK government is stealing doctors through a backdoor arrangement, there's no other solid basis for them to leave.

Then again, they could still deny them of their rights if they die prematurely from Covid-19. I just feel they can always wait till after the pandemic. Doctors are hot cake all over the world.

This man want to guilt trip doctors not to go to anywhere.

donbachi:
Why not make them offer they cannot reject.

They would have to make nurses, health technicians, lab scientists the same offer too then, not just doctors. Even the hospital cleaners and security are at risk of Covid-19.

Everything is just happening based on the failure of leadership over the years...

loneprof:


Actually, I thought of that. Unless the UK government is stealing doctors through a backdoor arrangement, there's no other solid basis for them to leave.

Then again, they could still deny them of their rights if they die prematurely from Covid-19. I just feel they can always wait till after the pandemic. Doctors are hot cake all over the world.

You are right but then again this move will make both the states and fg to sit up

RIHMEEK:
You are right but then again this move will make both the states and fg to sit up

I wish teachers and military men could be scarce too... those ones have been cheated for too long.

loneprof:


They would have to make nurses, health technicians, lab scientists the same offer too then, not just doctors. Even the hospital cleaners and security are at risk of Covid-19.

Everything is just happening based on the failure of leadership over the years...

You are right

loneprof:


I wish teachers and military men could be scarce too... those ones have been cheated for too long.

Every sector in Nigeria has been perpetually cheated over the years except the political office holders. Even in the midst of pandemic the are busy buying SUVs for themselves

RIHMEEK:
Every sector in Nigeria has been perpetually cheated over the years except the political office holders. Even in the midst of pandemic the are busy buying SUVs for themselves

Abi...

I still don't understand this news . Aren't international flights still on hold in Nigeria talkless, let alone from Nigeria to UK . Or a they British citizens?

SirWarlock:
I still don't understand this news . Aren't international flights still on hold in Nigeria talkless, let alone from Nigeria to UK . Or a they British citizens?

I think there are special permissions. Just that it's too risky for them now

Nigerian politicians make more money than any other politicians in the world, they and their families still leave. At least until they are facing criminal prosecution for money laundering or deported.

So what is the difference between money laundering and talent laundering?