Association decries rise in brain drain of nurses

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) branch, has decried the rising cases of brain drain of nurses in the healthcare sector.

Mrs Victoria Samson, Chairman, NANNM, JUTH branch, said this on Wednesday in Jos at the 2023 JUTH nurse, International Nurses Day Celebration.

Samson lamented the mass exodus of its members in search of better opportunities, saying this has left a huge gap in the sector as those available are stretched to stand in the existing gap.

She called on the government to motivate those who are still in the system via welfare and improved working conditions.

“Nurses are great manpower in the healthcare sector, and as such investments should be made in the nursing profession,” she said.

The Chairman appealed to the management of JUTH to provide a permanent Nurse’s secretariat within the hospital environment.

Samson further appealed to the management of JUTH to ensure proper remittance of members dues deducted to be paid to the association for effective discharge of services.

Similarly, Mrs Briskila Dabit, the Chairperson of NANMM Plateau Chapter, said that the health care sector is in great danger and proactive measures are needed to stimulate the work force to avoid losing it to brain drain.

Dabit, who was represented by Mr Amos Agwom, said that the nurses were trained in Nigeria for its populace, but unfortunately it is losing them to brain drain.

Mr Abalis Dasat, a nurse, who delivered the keynote address, on the theme, “Our nurses: our future; problems and prospect”, described nurses as the backbone of the healthcare system.

Dasat called on policy makers to develop policies that would enable nursing thrive.

He further called on nurses to join politics, to enable them influence decisions that would favour nurses.

Mrs Helen Mutfwang, wife of the Plateau governor, said nurses have contributed immensely to healthcare delivery.

Mutfwang, who was represented by Prof. Chris Yilgwan, the Chief Medical Director of the Plateau Specialist Hospital, said the government of Plateau is ensuring that healthcare delivery is given utmost priority.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was chaired by Dr Adamu Aliyu, member representing Jos North in the Plateau State House of Assembly.

NAN further reports that the association rewarded some retired nurses for their immense contributions to the healthcare system.