Nigerian doctors, nurses earning less than cleaners abroad – Afe Babalola

The founder and chancellor of the Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has said that Nigerian doctors and nurses are leaving the country because the emoluments paid to them in Naira is much less than what cleaners in hospitals in overseas earn.

Babalola stated this at the induction ceremony of the newly qualified Medical Doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) held at the University campus.

He appealed to government to increase the salaries of doctors and ensure prompt payment, to reduce the influx of medical personnel abroad.

“The reason why many Nigerian Doctors and Nurses leave this country immediately after completing their training is because the emoluments paid in Naira is much less than what cleaners in hospitals overseas earn,” he said.

“Worse still, Doctors in many states and Government Hospitals have not been paid for many months. I appeal to the government to increase the salaries of Doctors and ensure prompt payment.”

The legal icon also called on the government to encourage wealthy Nigerians to borrow a leaf from America, Europe and ABUAD to establish quality universities.

“As I said earlier, education is very expensive. It is also a notorious fact that most of the leading universities in the world are private universities (Yale, Harvard, and Stanford of this world among several others) These world-class universities were founded and funded by those who believe in quality education.

“We have many affluent Nigerians who can establish universities in the mould of ABUAD.”

In her remarks, while administering the oath on the inductees, the registrar of MDCN, Prof Fatima Kyari, said that the government is committed to taking the health workforce to a greater level.

She said there would be constant review and charges undertaken by the government.

On her part, the guest lecturer, and Director Institute of Advance Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, urged the newly inducted Doctors never to compromise value, but to uphold the highest standards of medical practice.