JAPA SYNDROME AMONG MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND POOR HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM IN HOSPITALS IN OGUN STATE: A SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW
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The worsening economic and political conditions in Nigeria have led to the mass exodus of
medical professionals to more developed countries of the world. This study undertook a
sociological review of the frequent brain drain (Japa syndrome) of medical professionals from
Nigeria and the aftermath effect on the healthcare delivery system in selected hospitals in Ogun
state. A structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide were used to solicit information
from respondents in two private hospitals and two public hospitals that were randomly selected for
this study in Ogun state. The results revealed that the exodus of qualified medical doctors and
nurses to seek greener pastures in more developed countries have resulted in the shortage of
qualified medical personnel in our hospitals compared to the number of patients seeking medical
attention. It has also led to obvious and persistent poor healthcare delivery in the already strained
and understaffed public and private hospitals in Ogun state with unquantifiable consequences in
terms of the avoidable death of patients. Based on these findings, the study recommends that
government and other stakeholders in the health sector should review the working conditions and
remuneration of medical personnel more often and make efforts to upgrade the medical facilities
on the ground that can match their counterparts in more developed countries of the world. This
may discourage the japa syndrome and help make the medical profession in Nigeria more
attractive.
Keywords
HM Sociology