The Nigerian Cancer Society ( NCS) has shared insight into the negative impact brain-drain otherwise known as Japa, with regard medical practitioners has on cancer treatment in Nigeria.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The insight was provided by the President of the society, Prof. Abidemi Emmanuel Omonisi, while briefing newsmen on the society’s commemoration of the World Cancer Day.
Omonisi declared that the high rate of health worker-migration is impacting on the number of oncologists attending to cancer patients in the country .
For clarity, oncologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
Attributing their migration to poor remuneration, poor infrastructure, insecurity, low standard of living and inadequate funding for the healthcare system, among others, Prof Omonisi said the ideal ratio of a radiation and clinical oncologist to cancer patient 1: 250 – 500 has suffered from it, resulting in 1: 1, 800.
“This accounted for the increasing long queues observed in all our oncology clinics in the country. I wish to specially appeal to the President and Commander in- chief of the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the push and pull factors responsible for the exodus of skilled health workers from the country,” he said.
