By Stanley Onyekwere
The Provost of Oasis College of Nursing Sciences, Kuje, Mrs. Mary Oritimehin, has called on the Federal Government to prioritize the welfare of nurses to halt the persistent “brain drain” crippling Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Speaking over the weekend during the college’s inaugural matriculation ceremony in Abuja, Oritimehin expressed concern over the irony of Nigeria spending vast resources on training healthcare professionals only for them to be recruited by foreign nations.
She argued that the mass exodus of nurses could be curtailed if the government implemented intentional policies focused on competitive remuneration and a conducive working environment.
Oritimehin noted that while the high demand for Nigerian nurses abroad validates the quality of their training, the poor conditions at home are driving them away in record numbers.
”It doesn’t make sense that resources are spent training them, yet they don’t stay to develop our own healthcare system.
“The government should give nurses a better life by improving their remuneration, self-esteem, and working environment.
“When there is an opportunity to enhance their standard of living here, moving abroad will become unattractive”,Oritimehin said.
She further highlighted the mental health toll on those who remain, pointing to the extreme patient-to-nurse ratios currently seen in public hospitals.
It was gathered that currently, in many government facilities, only two nurses are often tasked with caring for over 40 patients, and this leads to burnout, vulnerability to errors, and a decline in the professional image of nursing.
The matriculation ceremony saw 113 students admitted into Basic Nursing and National Diploma (ND) programs.
According to the College Registrar, Mr. Chukwudi Odoh, the institution has quickly established itself as a leader in nursing education.
Odoh confirmed that the college has secured all necessary approvals from key regulatory bodies, including:
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
For the new matriculants, the calling to nursing is deeply personal. Michael Amarachi, a Basic Nursing student, shared that his motivation came from the painful experience of losing his uncle.
”I can’t stand seeing sick people without being able to help,” Amarachi said. “I chose nursing to gain the skills needed to detect symptoms early and tackle them effectively.”
Another student, Chimamakawa Godson, noted that her inspiration was drawn from the legacy of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, stating her desire to uphold the compassionate roots of the profession.
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