A US board-certified physician, Dr David Ikudayisi, has called on the Federal and State Governments to address the root causes of brain drain by improving working conditions and hospital equipment standards in Nigeria.
Ikudayisi, the Medical Director of Glory Wellness and Regenerative Centre, who runs medical practices in both Florida, United States, and Nigeria, made the call while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
He said health worker migration could be reduced if practitioners see clear and credible career progression pathways that reward competence and professionalism.
“Nigeria can reduce the pressure driving health worker migration by providing pay and working conditions that are satisfactory to the majority of healthcare professionals, as well as ensuring high standards of hospital equipment,” he said.
The medical expert also advocated strong incentives for research careers and sustained attention to the concerns raised by workers in the health sector.
He urged Nigerians to embrace regenerative medicine, noting that it could significantly reduce outbound medical tourism and strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
“Regenerative medicine can strengthen advanced skills and infrastructure, including cell processing, cold-chain logistics, imaging-guided procedures, rehabilitation pathways and outcomes tracking.
“It can also reduce outbound medical tourism when Nigeria builds trustworthy centres with proper governance, transparent outcomes and ethical practices aligned with regulatory guidelines.
“Furthermore, it is already attracting inbound medical tourism, which can be strengthened in the near future. Glory Wellness and Regenerative Centre is privileged to be at the forefront of this effort in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on his vision for the country, Ikudayisi said he envisaged Nigeria becoming a regional leader in cutting-edge medical innovations, particularly in regenerative medicine.
“My dream is to bridge global innovation with local needs, creating a healthcare future where regenerative medicine is home-grown, sustainable and transformative for Africa.
“I envision a future where regenerative medicine is accessible, affordable and impactful for everyday people in Nigeria and West Africa.
“I dream of a Nigeria where chronic pain and degenerative diseases are treated with advanced regenerative therapies, and where local doctors and scientists are trained to sustain these innovations.
“I also look forward to Nigeria becoming a regional leader in regenerative medicine, exporting expertise and solutions to neighboring countries,” he said.
Ikudayisi advised the public to exercise caution when seeking advanced medical treatments, urging them to patronize only reputable centres with verifiable positive outcomes to ensure safety and effectiveness.
