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The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to rethink emigration, stating they remain second-class citizens abroad. Health Minister Dr. Iziaq Salako believes mass migration will decline as government reforms take effect. UBTH Chief Prof. Darlington Obaseki highlighted staffing shortages, urging immediate action to address healthcare challenges.

The Federal Government has urged Nigerian healthcare professionals and other emigrants to reconsider leaving the country, stating that no matter where they relocate, they will always be regarded as second-class citizens.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made this statement during his visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Monday. He acknowledged the challenges in the healthcare sector but expressed confidence that mass emigration, often referred to as the "japa syndrome," would soon decline due to new government policies aimed at improving working conditions.

Salako highlighted that while salary increases could help, they would not fully resolve the crisis, as other professionals would also demand similar raises. He stressed that patriotism and dedication to the country were essential in addressing the sector’s challenges.

“No matter where you go, you remain a second-class citizen,” he stated, urging medical professionals to stay and contribute to national development.

Meanwhile, UBTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, raised concerns about the hospital's severe staffing shortages. He revealed that despite a patient load of over 500, the hospital had only 750 nurses, 250 consultants, and fewer than 300 resident doctors, creating a strain on service delivery.

Salako assured that the government was working on comprehensive reforms to address the brain drain, promising increased funding and better policies to retain healthcare workers. He emphasized that with sustained efforts, the sector would see improvements in the near future.