MDCAN Warns of Decline in Medical Consultants as ‘Japa’ Syndrome Takes Toll

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has raised an alarm over the rapid decline in the number of medical consultants in the country, revealing that only about 6,000 consultants remain as of February 2024. This marks a stark decrease from previous years, with approximately 1,300 consultants leaving Nigeria in the past five years alone, largely due to the ongoing “Japa” syndrome—the mass emigration of professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.

The association’s president, Prof. Muhammad Mohammad, made the revelation during MDCAN’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara State. The event, themed “Policy Making for Quality Healthcare Services: Engaging Policy Makers for Quality Healthcare Delivery,” addressed the growing concerns surrounding the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Prof. Mohammad lamented that the current number of consultants was insufficient to meet the country’s healthcare demands, especially with the looming retirements of senior professionals. He pointed out that approximately 1,700 consultants are over 55 years old, meaning they are likely to retire in the next five years. “As these professionals retire, they are not being replaced at a sufficient rate,” he said, highlighting that only one or two new consultants are produced annually in the country. “The replacement rate cannot keep up with the losses from both the ‘Japa’ syndrome and retirements.”

The MDCAN president appealed to all levels of government to address the situation, urging that medical lecturers be placed on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to reduce the financial disparity within the sector. He stressed that the disparity in pay was a key factor driving medical professionals to seek opportunities abroad.

Kwara State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, endorsed the theme of the meeting, emphasizing the need for effective policies that support the government’s efforts in delivering quality healthcare to citizens. She noted that policy reforms were essential to improving the healthcare system and addressing the challenges faced by medical professionals.

The guest speaker at the event, Dr. Amos Magaji, a member of the National Assembly representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, echoed the importance of policy-making in improving healthcare delivery. He highlighted that policymakers must be proactive in creating an environment that encourages professionals to stay and thrive in the country.

Additionally, Prof. Tanimola Akande, a public health consultant at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), encouraged doctors to prioritize their health and well-being. He emphasized the importance of self-care, regular health check-ups, and physical exercise, noting that doctors’ personal health is crucial to the sustainability of healthcare delivery in the country.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Kazeem Ibrahim, the chairman of the local organizing committee for the MDCAN-NEC meeting, lamented that numerous policies had been enacted in the past without yielding significant benefits for vulnerable populations. He expressed hope that the discussions from the meeting would generate practical solutions to address the challenges, including the “Japa” syndrome, which has seen many health workers leave Nigeria in search of better working conditions abroad.

The MDCAN meeting served as a crucial platform for examining the factors contributing to the healthcare crisis in Nigeria and exploring ways to reverse the alarming trend of emigration among medical professionals.