Anambra Govt Committed to Reducing Gap in Medical Services Brain Drain – Commissioner

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Government has restated its commitment to bridging the brain drain gap in the state’s health system.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike stated this at the 2025 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Branch, themed, “From Drain to Gain: Strategies for Building Nigerian Health Workforce Capacity”

Obidike identified the “japa syndrome” as one of the major challenges in the health sector which was partly being addressed through telemedicine technology.

He said, “This year’s theme carefully chosen is one of those global issues causing the current administration headache and white hairs.

“We’ve been bridging the gap of this brain drain, especially through use of technology. We’re already doing the primary telemedicine in the state developed by the governor.

“We’ve engaged some of the doctors – two doctors per local government to serve the PHCs. We’re going to escalate it to secondary and tertiary. We’re also working on use of technology to increase training.

“We’re also building one of the biggest medical university in Nigeria which will be ready in 15months and most of us will be engaged in the process.”

Presenting a paper on how to convert brain drain to brain gain through Telemedicine, Specialist and expert in telemedicine and telehealth, Dr Gbenga Ogunfowokan said the brains of doctors in diaspora could be deployed to solve domestic problems without necessarily bringing them back.

“The state can use Telemedicine in the PHCs to provide care for those areas with innumerable sicknesses where doctors can’t be easily accessed ,” Chief Consultant Family Physician said.

Provost, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Jude-kennedy Emejulu identified pull and push factors as major reasons behind doctors’ drain.

“The pull factors are those that attract you to where you’re going – clean environment, security, quality remuneration, prospective future, while push factors are the prevailing Nigerian challenges – poor renumeration, infrastructure, bleak future, among others,” he noted.

Earlier, State Chairman, Dr. Princeston Okam said the conference offered members opportunity to interact as well as interface with key relevant stakeholders, government agencies and policy makers on issues affecting doctors and health care system.

AGM Local Organizing Secretary, Dr Obinna Aniagboso pledged the body’s continued engagement with government, especially on the area of remuneration increase to retain the workforce.

“We also encourage our members, especially the young ones to stay back. There are still benefits and fulfilment, especially treating and restoring the health of your own people,” he added.

The event featured award presentations to Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of the governor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, immediate past Acting Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and Dr Afam Obidike for their contributions to medicine and society.