Is Life Really Better for Nigerian Doctors In The US and The UK Than In Nigeria?
“Is life really better for Nigerian doctors in the US and the UK than in Nigeria?”
OK here is a honest answer from an Nigerian Surgeon who worked most of his career in the West.
My answer is honest and not open to debate from everyone that has a bone to pick with the medical profession.
Financially: Naturally the Nigerian working abroad is better off. As a junior, you think you are rolling in money until the real life in the west catches up with you. Mortgages, high taxes, insurances etc. In Nigeria, insurance is unnecessary, most doctors are housed free or paid a housing allowance, or live in parents home, which traditionally is expected till you marry. Life is more comfortable in the west especially as your credit score improves, and your salary rises.
Skill acquisition: Depends on what you are specialising in. High tech fields like orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, Radiology etc. Better off in the west where they have needed equipment to develop skills. I was doing more joint replacements as a trainee, than the whole surgeons in Nigeria. MRI, CT scans etc are not that readily available in hospitals to accommodate a learning experience for a radiology resident. On the other hand, I was doing caesarian sections (supervised) as a house officer. A most junior position that in the west are not allowed to touch anything. You get to see and manage conditions that a consultant in the west only read about. A Gynaecologist in Northern Nigeria, would manage more Vesicovaginal fistula, than a whole state in the US. Becoming a more skillful surgeon in it.
Freedom and peace of mind: OK the controversial part. The profession is very loosely monitored or regulated in Nigeria.
Junior doctors open or moonlight in private clinics. Perform procedures that they do not have the necessary skills. Nothing happens.
Doctors do not go to their official jobs and are still paid for it. My brother was doing his housemanship at the state hospital. He was assigned to a family friend in internal medicine. The consultant met my brother on the ward. Asked him when he is finishing his posting. says “OK I will see you then to sign you out” True to his word, pops in after three months, signs and leaves. The whole hospital is ran by juniors without supervision. No managers to chase you neither. Who will you complain to? The Chief Medical director? He is not around, sitting in Europe somewhere at government expense for the past two months looking for a MRI, and will return with a refurbished one that will pack up in six months.
Traditionally doctors cover for doctor is a norm and even expected. You blowing a whisper on an incompetent colleague as is common in the west is unheard of.
no one sues, no one complains, Police is only involved if there is a death and a complaint is made, and all problems can be solved with money.
So with all above, early start to private practice, no heavy malpractice insurances, failed government hospitals, not paying taxes etc. What some of my mates had achieved in Nigeria, makes me envious. Nice having a hospital or clinic with Ambulances flashing by with your name on it. They in the long term had achieved a better life than those of us that left.
Side note: Nigeria has amongst the highest infant mortality rate, neonate mortality, maternal mortality. Basically worse everything. This is not due to the attitude my colleagues had developed, and more to do with total disregard to healthcare by the Government.
Dr. Boris Ezomo is Director at Ezomo Memorial Hospital, Nigeria.
Credit. Quora.com
