Brain drain, otherwise referred to as ‘japa syndrome,’ has been identified as one of the most significant challenges facing physiotherapy in Nigeria.
Over the past three years, more than 2,000 Nigerian-trained physiotherapists have left the country, with more than 65% now practicing abroad, leaving the profession with fewer than 4,000 practitioners to serve a population of over 200 million.
According to Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), the loss of healthcare professionals weakens the workforce and diminishes patient care quality, as the remaining practitioners become overstretched and lack the mentorship and collaboration of a strong professional community.
Dambazau spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the 65th anniversary of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) and the N1b fundraising for its National Secretariat and Rehabilitation Center, where he emphasized that while the brain drain is a setback, it also presents opportunities for ‘brain gain’ through the potential return of skilled professionals and the remittances they send home.
According to Dambazau who chaired the event, the shortage of accredited training centers remains a significant challenge for the growth of physiotherapy in Nigeria, despite NSP’s strides in advancing the profession, including the establishment of the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College (PPC), which has produced over 70 specialists.
Another challenge, the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Minister of Interior said, is the limited number of training facilities that restrict the entry of qualified professionals into the workforce, thereby exacerbating the shortage of skilled physiotherapists.
In addition, he noted that inadequate infrastructure and insufficient funding for research hinder physiotherapists’ ability to deliver top-tier care and contribute to the advancement of the field through innovative research.
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Dambazau, who is also the Pro Chancellor of the City Capital University, Kano, noted that the gap ultimately hinders the profession’s ability to innovate and keep pace with global developments in physiotherapy.
“The growth of NSP has not occurred without challenges, as is often the case for professional institutions, especially in developing countries, where various interests and policies impact operations both positively and negatively.
“It is vital to ensure that NSP’s mission, which is its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for clients and patients through standard and ethical practices, does not falter.
“These challenges require urgent attention, selfless and strategic action from relevant stakeholders to develop meaningful, results-oriented approaches to these pertinent issues,” he said.
