Brain drain: 58,000 out of 130,000 doctors renewed practicing licence in 2023 –MDCN

The Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr Fatima Kyari, has disclosed that only 58,000 doctors have renewed their annual practicing licence  in year 2023 due to brain drain by health practitioners.

Dr. Kyari disclosed this during the induction/oath taking ceremony of 20 newly qualified doctors at the Edo State University, Uzairue

According to her, the medical and dental council is mandated to regulate the practice of medicine, dental and alternative medicine in Nigeria.

She said the council had so far registered 130,000 medical doctors to practise in Nigeria since its inception 61 years ago.

“But only 58,000 doctors have renewed their annual practicing licence in year 2023 following the increase in migration of doctors outside the country.”

Represented by the Deputy Registrar, Dr. Victor Kolawole, the registrar noted that the induction of the 20 newly qualified doctors  would add to the existing  workforce in the health sector.

She, however, admonished the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, warning that the council was mandated to regulate activities of the practitioners as well as punish offenders.

Earlier, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Aluyor, said the upgrade of the central hospital, Auchi, to a teaching hospital had enhanced facilities for the training of the medical students and uplifting the standard of healthcare services in Edo North and its environs.

While charging the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, he expressed confidence that they would bring honour to the university and MDCN.

Prof Aluyor commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his unwavering support for the university.