Don decries increasing brain drain in Nigerian medical practice

…As mentees, friends shower encomium on UCH CMD, Otegbayo @ 60

By Daniel Ayantoye | Oyo

A University Don, Professor Oladimeji Ajayi has expressed concern over the increasing brain drain in the medical profession in Nigeria.

Prof. Ajayi, a lecturer/consultant Physician & Gastroenterologist, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti called on authorities to work on the system by implementing strategies that will reduce the number of medical practitioners leaving to practice in other countries. According to him, the best hands trained in Nigeria are currently being lost to other countries as a result of poor welfare.

He made this known at the public lecture in commemoration of the 60th birthday of the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo on Wednesday December 8, 2021.

“We have this second wave of brain drain. When we were medical students, that was when we had the first wave of brain drain, when our teachers left. Now with the advent of the second wave of brain drain now, not only the trainers, the trainees are equally moving out and if care is not taking, the country is losing it’s very best and this is not good at all.”

Speaking on the topic; Gastroenterology Training in Nigeria; yesterday, today and tomorrow, Prof. Ajayi explained that there have been a lot of improvement in the practice as a Gastroenterologist compared to the past.

According to him, in the past “Training in gastroenterology was unstructured with no clear cut curriculum, most gastroenterologist were trained in general medicine and only showed special interest in gastroenterology and early trainers were those that trained abroad.”

He however called for adequate funding by government, private sector and NGOs for provision of needed facilities to facilitate more development in the practice.

Speaking further, the Ekiti State University lecturer, proposed the establishment of Nigerian or National College of Gastroenterology to compliment training as well as establishment of National Digestive Disease centres in Lagos and Abuja.

Meanwhile, the celebrant, Prof. Otegbayo who will officially clock 60 years on December 17, 2021 was showered with encomium by his Mentees and friends who took turns to speak on the giant strides and landmark achievements of the UCH Chief Medical Director.

The event which was organised by the Mentees of the celebrant, had in attendance distinguished personalities and professionals. Among who include; the former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Emeritus Prof. Ayodele Falase who was also the Chairman of the occasion, the Owa-Afole of Otan-Ile, Oba Olatokun Fagberade ably represented by High Chief, Olaosebikan Ayeni, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development), Ekiti State University, Prof. Adekunle Adegun, and the Country Manager, Megalife Sciences, Mr. Maneesh Mehra

Others are: the Vice President, Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN) & the Faculty Secretary (Internal Medicine), West African College of Physicians. Prof Abdulfatai Olokoba, the Oyo State Chairman, Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria, Dr. Olusola Ibiyemi and a host of others.

High point of the event was goodwill messages by friends and colleagues, presentation of gift by mentees as well as cutting of cake by the celebrant and his lovely wife.