More than 400 consultant anaesthetists left Nigeria in 2yrs – Society

More than 400 consultant anaesthetists left the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures in the last two years, President of the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, Dr. Olubusola Alagbe-Briggs, said in Gombe on Wednesday.

Alagbe-Briggs told newsmen on the sidelines of the society’s 31st annual scientific conference that the immigrant anaesthetists left Nigeria in search of a better practise environment.

She said anaesthetists were the most sought-after specialists in foreign lands because of the peculiarity of their services.

“There is a global shortage of anaesthetists because of the nature of the job, which is intensive, acute, and focused.

“We had about 1,200 members in the past, but today we have only 800 members.

“Those countries that are short of anaesthetists are pulling those here in Nigeria to their countries.

“Nigerian professionals are the best. They are highly sought-after by other countries.

“Medical practitioners and other professionals will continue to emigrate until their welfare and available equipment are improved upon,’’ she said.

Alagbe-Briggs stressed that the availability of appropriate equipment and improved welfare were essential to improving medical practise and services.

She said the conference itself sought to ensure continuous enhancement of the knowledge of the society’s members to help improve their services.

“We are looking at how we can help improve cancer care; we are involved in the operational stage, pain relief, emergency care, and intensive care.

“We are in Gombe to brainstorm on how to improve our specialty in line with the theme of the conference, learn from one another, and share research outcomes,’’ Alagbe-Briggs said.

The conference has “anaesthesia and the pre-operative care of patients with cancers’’ as its theme.