CEO of Love for Health Organisation Dr Yusuf Haroun has called on the federal government to take urgent steps to address the mass emigration of medical professional.
Over the past few years, Nigeria has experienced a sharp increase in the number of healthcare professionals leaving for better opportunities abroad, reports The Nation.
The reasons are manifold: Better pay, improved working conditions, access to advanced technology, and more opportunities for career development.
This alarming trend has left many Nigerian hospitals understaffed and overwhelmed,
particularly in public health institutions that already struggle with limited resources.
The effects of this brain drain are already being felt across the country. Patients are facing longer waiting times, fewer specialists, and declining quality of care.
With Nigeria’s healthcare system already burdened by high maternal and infant mortality rates, infectious disease outbreaks, and a growing number of non-communicable diseases, the loss of medical personnel is further exacerbating these challenges.
The country’s doctor-to-patient ratio, already dangerously low at 1 doctor for every 5,000 patients, is now even further from the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1 doctor for every 600 patients.
The prominent health care provider believes the solution lies in addressing the root causes driving medical professionals away.
He emphasised the need for improved working conditions, competitive salaries and better medical infrastructure.
Many Nigerian healthcare workers feel disillusioned by the lack of equipment, poor facilities and insufficient funding for research and professional development, which often drives them to seek better opportunities abroad.
“Our healthcare workers are some of the best trained in the world, but they are not being given the tools and resources they need to succeed here in Nigeria,” Haroun lamented.
He called on the government to implement incentive programs that would encourage medical professionals to remain in the country.
These incentives could include housing benefits, tax breaks and opportunities for continued education and specialisation.
In addition to financial incentives, Haroun highlighted the importance of creating a more supportive work environment, where healthcare workers feel valued and respected for their contributions.
Despite the current challenges, Haroun remains optimistic that Nigeria can reverse the trend of medical emigration.
“We have a talented pool of medical professionals who are passionate about making a difference. If we can address the factors driving them away, we will not only prevent their emigration but also attract those who have already left to return and contribute to the growth of our healthcare system,” he emphasised.
Haroun, popularly known as Dr. Love on social media, is a distinguished healthcare professional with a wealth of experience in both clinical practice and healthcare administration.
He holds a First Class Honors MBA in Healthcare Administration from Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Further enhancing his expertise, he earned a certification in General Psychiatric Management (GPM) for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) from the prestigious Harvard Medical School.
Haroun’s medical foundation is rooted in his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
This strong educational background has equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare systems.
From 2015 to 2017, Haroun worked as a licensed medical professional in Saudi Arabia, where he gained invaluable international experience in a diverse healthcare environment.
This global perspective shaped his approach to healthcare delivery, prompting his subsequent move to the USA to pursue advanced postgraduate studies and further his professional development.
In addition to his clinical and administrative expertise, Haroun is the CEO and founder of Love for Health Organisation, a global healthcare initiative dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare, particularly for underserved communities around the world. Under his leadership, the organization continues to impact global health outcomes by addressing critical healthcare disparities and promoting sustainable solutions.
