Physicians' migration has existed for decades. Current trend in Nigeria however reveals an exponentially increasing migration of
physicians from Nigeria to high income countries such as USA and UK amongst others.
AIM/OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the intentions of Nigerian medical doctors to emigrate and the probable causative factors leading to increasing
migration in order to inform country specific strategies to decrease it.
METHOD
A descriptive study was conducted among 317 medical doctors (Resident doctors, medical officers and house officers) practicing in
6 states in Nigeria (Imo, Akwalbom, Lagos, Anambra, Cross-river and Enugu). A pretested, interviewer administered structured
questionnaire was used for data collection and analyzed on Excel spreadsheets.
RESULT
Age of doctors interviewed ranged from 25-50 years (92.5% were aged 25-40years), with more males (64.7%) than females
(35.3%). Most are single (56.6%). Residents and house officers constituted 90% of the subjects, with 88% of them working in
government owned hospitals. About 74.4% of the respondents already nurse the intention to travel out of the country. Reported
factors influencing emigration include: poor job satisfaction, poor salary, poor quality of life and availability of better medical
services abroad. Most preferred destination was USA and UK (83%).
They seek to travel to practice medicine (72.5%) and for further studies (23.7%) About 43.1% of those with intention to travel had
initiated plans to leave while 21.1% had passed their selection exams. Majority (65.4%) would either want to stay abroad
permanently or return after 10-20 years if conditions in the country improve. About 14% have no intention to travel, their reasons
being mostly finance and family ties.
CONCLUSION: A large number of young medical doctors in this study have intentions to emigrate to high income countries due to
poor job satisfaction, poor quality of life among others.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Country leaders need to rise to the challenge by developing country specific strategy that will ensure
improved health system in the country. This is vital to curbing this ugly trend.