Brain drain: Saudi Arabia begins massive recruitment of Nigerian Doctors!
Because of the mismanagement of the nationwide strike by medical physicians and other medical consultants, the Nigerian government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, may face a shortage of medical professionals in the country. This is because the Saudi government is taking advantage of the Nigerian government’s threats against resident doctors who are requesting improved working conditions as stipulated in an agreement with the federal government, which the government is reneging on with threats.
Despite the fact that the doctors’ strike is already in its third week, Saudi Arabia has begun recruiting medical physicians and other professionals in Nigeria, with interviews set for August 24. Delegates from the Saudi Ministry of Health have been dispatched to Nigeria to assist in the urgent recruitment of medical doctors and consultants, as well as other medical specialists, to work in Saudi Arabia.
“There will be an interview session with the Ministry of Health delegates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Consultants and Specialists in all specialties, slated for Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja,” Saudi Arabian authorities announced in a “Important Notice” release.
“However, anyone who is unable to meet up with the August 24 interview stands a chance for an interview with another agency slated for Wednesday 25th August 2021 at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja,” the Saudi Ministry of Health officials noted in the recruiting statement.
Certain stakeholders in Nigeria had decried: “We are on the final verge of acute ‘Doctors shortage’ in Nigeria.
“From the 21st to the 26th of this month, multiple Saudi recruitment agencies will be recruiting Nigerian consultants in Lagos and Abuja.”
The Saudi authorities also revealed the extended recruiting period as well as the location of the recruitment from Abuja to Lagos. Accordingly, the Saudi Ministry of Health has announced a new “Recruitment exercise with the Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia – Consultants and Specialists in all medical fields (excluding psychiatrists) are welcome for interviews scheduled for August 22nd at 10.00am at the Raddison Blu Hotel.. Ikeja GRA.”
Those interested in attending the interview were advised to “come along with original and copies of credentials and form of identification.”
The Doctor: Patient ratio in Nigeria presently stands at 1 doctor to 4000 patients, but that statistic is now expected to get worse.