- West African College of Physicians urges doctors to stay and contribute to local healthcare development.
- Brain drain in the health sector is a significant issue in West Africa.
- Governments urged to create enabling environment, address doctors’ challenges, and provide better welfare packages.
The West African College of Physicians has made an urgent call for doctors in the region to stay and contribute to the development of their local healthcare systems, rather than migrating to other countries. This call was made by the College’s outgoing President, Dr. Rose Macauley, at the 48th Annual General Scientific Meeting in Abuja.
Challenges and Solutions:
The healthcare sector in West Africa faces numerous challenges, including inadequate equipment and poor working conditions, leading to doctor migration. To address this, governments are urged to:
- Improve welfare packages for health workers
- Create an enabling environment for young doctors
- Address personal needs and provide adequate equipment
- Implement reforms to combat healthcare brain drain crisis
Expert Insights:
Dr. Mamadou Mourtalla, President-elect of the College, emphasized that addressing the challenges faced by young African doctors is crucial to retaining them.
