‘Over 400 Consultant Anaesthetists Left Nigeria In Two Years’

No fewer than 400 consultant anaesthetists left the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures in the last two years, says the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists.

President of the society Dr Olubusola Alagbe-Briggs, disclosed this in Gombe on Wednesday during the society’s 31st annual scientific conference.

Alagbe-Briggs said that the immigrant anaesthetists left Nigeria in search of a better practice environment.

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She said anaesthetists were the most sought-after specialists in foreign lands because of the peculiarity of their services.

“There is a global shortage of anaesthetists because of the nature of the job which is intensive, acute and focused.

“We had about 1,200 members in the past, but today we have only 800 members.

“Those countries that are short of anaesthetists are pulling those here in Nigeria to their countries.

“Nigerian professionals are the best. They are highly sought-after by other countries.

“Medical practitioners and other professionals will continue to emigrate until their welfare and available equipment are improved upon,’’ she said.

Alagbe-Briggs stressed that availability of appropriate equipment and improved welfare were essential to improve medical practice and services.

She said the conference itself sought to ensure continuous enhancement of the knowledge of the society’s members to help to improve their services.

“We are looking at how we can help to improve cancer care; we are involved in the operational stage, pain relief, emergency care and intensive care.

“We are in Gombe to brainstorm on how to improve our specialty in line with the theme of the conference, learn from one another and share research outcomes,’’ Alagbe-Briggs said.

The conference has: “Anaesthesia and the pre-operative care of patients with cancers’’ as its theme.

(NAN)