Anti-Doctors Bill: A Legislation of Suicide

Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber, the House of Representatives, is considering a bill to prevent doctors trained in Nigeria from leaving the country unless they first practice in the country for five years. The bill reportedly passed through its second reading a few days ago. The supporters of the bill argue that medical education is subsidized in the country and its beneficiaries ought to pay back by practicing in the country for at least five years. This measure is intended to cut down the mass exodus of doctors from Nigeria to Europe and America.
As expected, the news of the passage of this bill has elicited widespread condemnation from medical practitioners in the country. Officials of the Nigerian Medical Association and other commentators have punched holes in the bill. They have urged the House of Reps to focus on the root causes of the doctors’ emigration rather than try to curtail it by force.
On the surface, this bill may appear to be trying to solve the problem of brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. In truth, however, it is a mere futile attempt to hide from our shadow. There are well-known reasons that make doctors – just like most other Nigerians – want to leave the country. These reasons vary but border fundamentally on unrepentant misgovernance, state-condoned lawlessness, and an unrestrained descent into extreme poverty.
Members of the Nigerian political class are fully aware of this situation. This is why they patronise healthcare and educational services in foreign countries. They also know what is done in those countries where things work, but are not patriotic enough to implement those things at home to make Nigeria work. Not only will they not make Nigeria work, but they also oppose the patriots who are seeking opportunities to ameliorate the national situation.
Having trapped every other category of Nigerian citizens on the sinking ship that they have turned the country into, whose captain would not rescue nor allow others onboard to rescue her, the House of Reps has now proceeded to hunt down the only group of Nigerians who seem to have a viable way of escape – medical doctors. This behaviour is consistent with the policy disposition of Nigeria’s political elite who seek life for they and their families in countries that are working, while consistently suppressing their countrymen through a policy of forced collective national suicide. This bill is the oppressor’s latest attempt to stamp legislative legitimacy on the systematic destruction of our country.
Nigerians must remember that a similar bill requiring political office holders and their families to patronise healthcare and educational services in Nigeria was promptly shot down in the same House. Is there any hypocrisy greater than a situation where public office holders try to force doctors to remain in Nigeria while the officials themselves simultaneously jet out to patronise hospitals abroad? Are other countries too retaining their doctors by force?
What must be stated is that fundamental problems require fundamental solutions. The House of Reps has the powers to make far-reaching legislations to reform healthcare practice in Nigeria, transform the standard of living, and make Nigeria a desirable country to live in. Members should focus on this and stop trying to obtain healthcare at gunpoint.