The Registrar, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, MLSCN, Tosan Erhabor, says so far a total of 10,697 medical laboratory scientists had left the country. Erhabor revealed this to newsmen, saying that a policy is being put together by the Federal Ministry of Health to address the problem.
“The total number of medical laboratory scientists that have migrated is 10,697,” he said. According to him, the policy, when launched, would regulate the migration of Nigerian health workers. The registrar said that the government has reviewed the hazard allowance of health professionals to boost their productivity.
“The government is considering reviewing the minimum wage and certain peculiar allowances for health professionals. “A safe and conducive work environment can be a panacea to reducing the pace of brain drain amongst medical laboratories,” he said.
Erhabor, who said more than 4,504 medical laboratory scientists left the country in 2023, attributed the migration by medical scientists from the country to different reasons. “Some are leaving as a result of poor remuneration and uncertainties in their career progression in teaching hospitals. “Others are leaving in order to study abroad, acquire new skills and enhance their professional status,” he said.
