Brain Drain: 58,000 Out Of 130,000 Doctors Renewed Practicing Licence In 2023, says MDCN

Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), has revealed that only 58,000 doctors renewed their annual practicing licence in 2023 because of brain drain by health practitioners.

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

She stated that the Medical and Dental Council is mandated to regulate the practice of medicine, dental, and alternative medicine in Nigeria.

The Registrar said the council had registered 130,000 medical doctors to practice in Nigeria since its inception 61 years ago.

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

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

She, however, urged the inductees to uphold the profession’s ethics, warning that the council was mandated to regulate the activities of the practitioners and punish offenders.