The Vice Chancellor of a university in Ondo State emphasized the need for the government to create a conducive environment for healthcare workers to prevent them from seeking opportunities abroad. He highlighted the challenge of retaining trained professionals due to factors such as inadequate remuneration and poor working conditions. The Vice Chancellor also mentioned the global shortage of health workers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals. He expressed concerns about the high rate of trained professionals leaving the country and stressed the importance of addressing issues like pay, working conditions, and security to retain talent.
Additionally, he dismissed the feasibility of a proposal to require health workers to stay in the country for five years after graduation, citing the significant cost of training them. Another university Vice Chancellor echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and suitable work environments to prevent healthcare workers from seeking better opportunities abroad. She highlighted the lack of essential resources in healthcare facilities, which leads to challenges for medical personnel in delivering quality care.
Both Vice Chancellors underscored the urgent need to address issues such as inadequate salaries, poor working conditions, lack of resources, and infrastructure in healthcare facilities to retain healthcare professionals and improve the overall healthcare system.