Professor Smaranda Olarinde, the Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has urged the government to prioritize the welfare of medical personnel to prevent the brain drain of professionals and reduce medical tourism. Speaking during the commemoration of the Afe Babalola Multi-System Hospital’s (AMSH) 50th kidney transplant, Olarinde emphasized that advanced infrastructure is insufficient without a motivated, well-compensated workforce.
She noted that Nigerian healthcare workers often seek opportunities abroad due to inadequate working environments and limited career growth, rather than a lack of loyalty to their home country. She called on all levels of government to provide better pay, safer workspaces, and professional development to retain talent. Dr. Akinola Akinmade, the Chief Medical Director, highlighted the 50th transplant milestone as a testament to the hospital’s rigorous standards and the vision of its founder, Aare Afe Babalola, to make high-end medical care accessible locally.
The event also featured a partnership signing between AMSH and Manipal Hospitals, India. Dr. Rajeev Sood, a prominent urologist representing the Indian hospital, remarked that the global pandemic underscored the necessity for countries to become self-reliant in healthcare. He praised ABUAD for building an institution where medical staff are supported and enabled to achieve global excellence in patient treatment.
