From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

President, World Medical Association (WMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, yesterday, attributed violence at workplace against physicians, increased workloads and mental burnout as factors resulting to the brain drains in the health sector globally.

He disclosed this during a condolence visit to the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Mr. Festus Alenkhe, in Benin City.

Dr. Enabulele said violence against health workers at their places of work is getting out of hand and that measures should be adopted to checkmate the ugly trend across the globe.

Enabulele said it was so pathetic that the health workers who worked tirelessly and risked their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the virus is curtailed, were highly stigmatized in some parts of the countries.

He said during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, landlords in some parts of the countries were sceptical in giving their houses to doctors to rent because they thought they could possibly contract the virus from them.

He said if the ugly trend is not arrested and nipped in the bud, a lot of health practitioners might work out of their profession.

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He said now that he is familiar with the root causes of the problem in the health sector, he is willing to partner the Nigeria Union of Journalists in addressing the challenges across the globe.

While speaking on the forthcoming general elections in the country, he appealed to Nigerians to look beyond the immediate and personal gains but to look at the future, just as he challenged them to look out for the candidates’ health manifestos before casting their votes.

He said Nigerians should not cast their votes for the candidates who do not have a health manifestos.

Responding, chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Mr. Festus Alenkhe, congratulated the President, World Medical Association (WMA) for making the country proud globally.

He also commended the health workers for their roles in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic globally.