—concluding part
In the preceding two weeks, we had discussed the case of Dr Tunde, who had completed Postgraduate Residency Training to qualify as a Consultant Psychiatrist but had failed to secure a job after one year of attending interviews across the country.
I’m an Urhobo man, Obasanjo declares
He is now considering relocating abroad and sought the counsel of a renowned professor who empathized with his frustrations and agreed that he is right to re-appraise his options.
Prof: My counsel to you will be to learn quickly and please do not get carried away with trying to match the lifestyle of any other person. Be focused and clear about your priorities. Always keep an eye on returning home and maintain your contacts here in Nigeria. Preferably, return home before your children hit their teens, otherwise, they may not agree to return with you ever again.
Tunde: But why would I want to return home Sir? I can come home for vacations and will definitely stay in touch with family and friends. But wouldn’t it be counter-productive to come back home again after I might have worked really hard to pass qualifying exams and to fit into their system over there?
Prof: Well, I have trained in two different continents and have their Fellowships. I did not have to return to Nigeria…but I did. My reasons were simple:
- Finances – there is an immediate improvement in the quality of life and financial remuneration in the short term when you travel abroad, but in the long term, you will soon hit the plateau, and subsequently remain at the same level. Whereas, if you come back home, it will be a slow upward climb but you will get there slowly but steadily.
- Subtle xenophobia – while you will receive excellent training and work with fantastic facilities, you will always be an immigrant. Of course, even in Nigeria, you can also be treated unfairly.
- Fulfilment– Three decades after I returned, I am very fulfilled and have some influence, plus the additional satisfaction of conducting research that is meaningful to my community. I have also mentored several generations of medical students and younger colleagues like you. I feel fulfilled that I have paid my dues to my country.
Of course, I am not so ignorant as to imagine that these are the only ways to give back or be relevant. But I consider this pathway to be best for our country. This is my own biased opinion.
Tunde: Thank you, Sir, for your time and extensive explanations. I will travel abroad first, and then consider your recommendations when I settle down over there.
Discussion:
It can be a win-win situation; where those unable to secure employment or who desire to travel abroad are able to do so without hindrance but are encouraged to always think of returning home down the line to contribute their quota to national development. And those who stay back are encouraged and provided with the necessary incentives to remain…including improved welfare packages.
A smart policy would be to explore how best to encourage brain gain from those who have gone abroad and are desirous of returning home to contribute their knowledge, experience and connections to strengthen institutions back home. In some instances, they are even willing to also support financially but are discouraged by the red tape and having to surmount hurdles – including sometimes outright demands for bribes.
There is also petty rivalry and ego tussles arising from the fear that returnees from abroad may be coming back home to lord it over home-based colleagues, who had been labouring to function as best as they could in the dysfunctional system available.
The corollary, of course, is that some home-based colleagues may also have an inferiority complex and may be reading meanings into innocent actions.
Physicians in the Diaspora can and should be encouraged and supported to visit and teach, transfer skills via training workshops, share opportunities or exchange program etc.
Last word:
Finding a middle ground that accommodates everyone for the collective good and development of the health care services of our nation should not be rocket science. India has clearly demonstrated the feasibility of this approach.
Several Indian doctors travel to the UK and the US for postgraduate training, but several of them return back home to establish group medical practices. Thus, it is a combination of brain drain and brain gain for India.
The expertise and financial muscle of the returning Indian experts is the reason India is fast becoming the destination of choice for medical tourism not just for Africans but also for Europeans and Americans. This can be a pragmatic win-win approach. But will our policy makers and Healthcare administrators take heed?
and then