By DEJI NEHAN
A Bold Call-Out to Young Professionals: The Time to Plug In is Now
For too long, the narrative around diaspora professionals, especially doctors, has been tied to a future that begins at retirement. It’s a familiar dream: build your career abroad, retire with comfort, and finally “give back” to your homeland. But what if that impact isn’t meant to wait until your twilight years?
Across Nigeria, the need for skilled medical professionals is not a future concern it’s urgent, present, and deeply felt in every underserved community.
The allure of greener pastures has long drawn Nigerian medical professionals abroad, creating a significant “brain drain” that leaves our nation’s healthcare system yearning for expertise. While the contributions of diaspora doctors are undeniable, there’s a bold call to be made: Stop waiting for retirement to make an impact back home! The time for our younger, vibrant professionals to plug into Nigeria’s healthcare landscape is now, not later.
The narrative of doctors returning after decades of practice, while commendable, often means a wealth of current knowledge, energy, and innovative approaches are delayed. Imagine the transformative power if these highly skilled individuals, still at the peak of their careers, invested their expertise and passion into their homeland.
Inspiring Examples: The Pacesetters
Nigeria is fortunate to have pioneers demonstrating this immediate impact.
Dr. Julius Oni, a brilliant orthopedic surgeon based in the United States, made headlines recently not because he retired and returned to Nigeria, but because he didn’t wait. From Johns Hopkins in the US to establish DOC Medical Nigeria Despite a thriving career abroad, he began offering medical interventions in underserved communities across Nigeria years before retirement was even on his radar. His mobile surgical outreach has transformed lives and inspired a movement. His mission isn’t just about providing high-quality musculoskeletal care; it’s about training a new generation of surgeons through a joint replacement fellowship, empowering them to deliver world-class care right here. This is the kind of immediate, hands-on, and sustainable impact we need more of.
Come back not to settle but to serve, even in bits. Whether through brief medical missions, remote diagnosis programmes, or strategic mentorship, the tools are at your fingertips.
Similarly, Dr. Richard Okoye, founder of Save a Life Mission Hospital, embodies the spirit of direct intervention. His commitment to providing healthcare and educating the public on healthy living through his radio programme in Port Harcourt shows how a single dedicated individual can significantly uplift a community. It’s a powerful vision: if every local government in Nigeria could boast just one doctor with Dr. Okoye’s passion and commitment, the improvement in grassroots healthcare would be massive, stemming the tide of preventable ailments and saving countless lives.
The Role of Charities and Collaborative Initiatives
Fortunately, there are a growing number of organizations actively facilitating this bridge between the diaspora and Nigeria’s healthcare needs. Groups like the Nigeria Diaspora Doctors Association (NDDA) and the Nigerian Medical and Healthcare Professionals in Diaspora (NMHPD) are working to network, educate, and empower Nigerian doctors abroad to contribute. They are involved in professional development, scientific exchange, public health initiatives, and advocating for policies that integrate diaspora expertise. The VOOM Foundation is another commendable effort, bringing volunteer doctors, nurses, and support professionals to address healthcare system needs through education and training.
Beyond direct medical intervention, initiatives like Naija Aid, founded by Lanre Nehan-Babalola, are crucial. While not solely focused on doctors, her organization’s seminars on basic lifesaving techniques and CPR empower a wider populace with critical first aid skills. This type of preventative and foundational health education is equally vital and underscores the multi-faceted approach required.
How Stakeholders Can Further Advance
To truly harness the potential of diaspora doctors, a concerted effort from various stakeholders is crucial:
Government
Streamline Licensing and Integration: Reduce bureaucratic hurdles and expedite the process for diaspora doctors to practice in Nigeria, including recognition of foreign qualifications.
Incentivize Return and Retention: Offer competitive remuneration, improved working conditions, access to modern equipment, and opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
Invest in Infrastructure: Prioritize funding for well-equipped hospitals, laboratories, and reliable power supply, particularly in underserved areas.
Foster Partnerships: Actively engage with diaspora medical associations to identify needs and collaboratively develop sustainable healthcare programmes.
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Establish a Sovereign National Health Fund: Dedicated funding can stabilize and grow both public and private health institutions.
Medical Associations in Nigeria (e.g., NMA, NARD)
Collaborate and Mentorship: Create formal mentorship programs and exchange opportunities between local and diaspora doctors.
Advocate for Reforms: Continuously push for better working conditions, fair policies, and ethical recruitment practices that discourage brain drain.
Data Collection and Needs Assessment: Work with government to identify specific areas where diaspora expertise is most needed.
Philanthropic Organizations and NGOs
Fund Specific Projects: Channel resources towards initiatives that facilitate skill transfer, medical missions, and infrastructure development.
Support Local Training: Invest in scholarships and training programmes for Nigerian medical students and residents, potentially co-led by diaspora professionals.
Facilitate “Reverse Missions”: Enable Nigerian medical professionals to gain exposure in leading international institutions.
Private Sector
Invest in Healthcare Ventures: Develop and support private healthcare facilities that can attract and retain top talent, including diaspora doctors.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Direct CSR initiatives towards improving healthcare infrastructure and providing medical outreach.
The Diaspora Community Itself
Organize and Unify: Strengthen existing diaspora medical associations to speak with a collective, influential voice.
Proactive Engagement: Don’t wait to be invited; initiate proposals and actively seek opportunities for collaboration.
Beyond Financial Remittances: Focus on skill transfer, training, and building sustainable systems, not just one-off donations.
The “Japa” phenomenon is a complex challenge, but it also presents an unparalleled opportunity. Our diaspora doctors represent a vast reservoir of talent, experience, and dedication. By acting now, by boldly encouraging younger professionals to transcend the traditional retirement timeline, and by creating an enabling environment through strategic partnerships and robust policies, Nigeria cannot only reverse the brain drain but usher in a new era of healthcare excellence driven by its own best and brightest, both at home and abroad. The future of Nigerian healthcare is not a distant dream; it’s a present imperative that requires immediate action from all of us.
The Time Is Now
Diaspora doctors: Your impact doesn’t have to wait until you’re done with your career, it can become your career. Every surgery, every outreach, every life saved today echoes louder than promises made for “someday.” The nation needs you now. Plug in early. Plug in boldly. The future of Nigerian healthcare isn’t waiting and neither should you.
The notion that good intentions must wait until retirement is no longer valid in our interconnected world. With every skill set, network, and resource you’ve gained abroad, there are lives back home waiting to be touched today, not tomorrow.
So, to the young diaspora doctors reading this: don’t wait until the stethoscope starts to feel heavy in your 60s. Nigeria needs your fire, your expertise, and your innovation now. Come back not to settle but to serve, even in bits. Whether through brief medical missions, remote diagnosis programmes, or strategic mentorship, the tools are at your fingertips.
