The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) revealed that it has lost about 906 members to human capital flight in 2022 due to brain drain in the country.
Among the observations raised by the association in a communiqué it issued on Saturday at the end of the National Executive Council of the Association held in Uyo, it noted that a sum of N664 billion was estimated to have been spent yearly on medical tourism in the country.
The communiqué, which was signed by the President, Prof. James Damen; National Secretary, Prof. Musa Muhibi and National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olusoji Billyrose, respectively, attributed the reason for the brain drain to poor leadership of the health sector, corruption, poor remuneration and toxic work experience, it called on the government to address the concern.
“NEC observed with sadness, the human capital flight that has escalated to an alarming proportion. In 2022 alone, the nation lost about 906 medical laboratory scientists to human capital flight. We, therefore, call on government to address these concerns as a futuristic remedy for the malady,” the communiqué read in part.
The association lamented that N664 billion spent on medical tourism yearly could have made Nigeria a health tourism destination if the amount was invested in building Health infrastructures in the country.
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It urged the Federal Government through the Central Bank and Bank of Industry to provide financial support through Special Intervention Funds for private sector investment in healthcare delivery.