Dr Titus Oyedele, head of clinical services and training at Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has expressed worry over the issue of brain drain in Nigeria. He mentioned that approximately 50 doctors and 90 nurses had departed the institution in search of better chances abroad.
Oyedele revealed the information while giving media a tour of the facility last weekend. He blamed a lack of leadership and the existence of those in power who lack faith in the system for the issue of brain drain, also known as "Japa."
He pointed out that because the hospital must pay so much to hire competent and qualified workers, it is challenging to hold onto the top personnel in the organisation.
He said, “At times, we have to source for highly skilled personnel even at a very high cost. For instance, you can have ten people in a system and many institutions struggling to get them. It has become the highest bidder, but the university has been trying its best to ensure that no matter what it costs, we have to ensure that the system is running.
“God has been helping us; we have been trying to attract the best hands in the country.”
When asked how the hospital functions with many patients, he responded, “We try to survive. It’s difficult, especially when you have personnel just getting used to the system and leaving the next minute.”
The director, however, remarked that the institution has no trouble replacing professionals who leave the system, adding that it does so swiftly and can even attract personnel from outside the country.
He claims, “As I speak, we need a radiologist, so the university just sent out a letter to somebody that will be coming from outside the country so that we can ensure quality services. It is challenging, but we have to survive.”
He emphasised the hospital’s track record of successful surgeries, stating that the positive feedback it has received so far should convince anyone considering a trip there for medical care that they will receive excellent care.
Prof. Ademola Tayo, the university’s vice-chancellor, has urged journalists to remain vigilant in their awareness of their responsibility to curb hate speech and incitement to violence, both of which tend to flare up during election seasons.