The outgoing Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti (FETHI), Prof. Adekunle Ajayi, has called for a united effort to address Nigeria’s persistent brain drain, describing it as a social menace affecting all sectors.
Speaking during his valedictory media briefing, Prof. Ajayi stressed that tackling brain drain requires a multifaceted approach, including better salaries, staff retention policies, improved security, enhanced infrastructure, and consistent quality education.
“Mitigating brain drain is not solely the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Health; it requires the involvement of every facet of society,” he said. “Different individuals have different needs—from improved work environments to reliable water supply and enhanced security—that must be addressed to retain talent.”
Highlighting his achievements over his eight-year tenure, Prof. Ajayi said his administration focused on developing a high-quality medical system capable of attracting medical tourists, driving organisational change through strategic engagement with unions and stakeholders, and ensuring prompt, reliable healthcare supported by modern infrastructure.
He also emphasized resource optimization and strong managerial oversight as central to the hospital’s progress, adding that these principles guided all initiatives implemented under his leadership.
Addressing the issue of medical tourism, Prof. Ajayi said consumer choice, rather than lack of capacity, often drives Nigerians to seek treatment abroad. “The capacity exists, and Nigerian doctors and health workers are among the best trained globally. Many who travel abroad do so to meet Nigerians trained in the same environment,” he said.
While acknowledging some facility gaps, he noted significant progress in healthcare infrastructure and commended the federal government for its investment in improving service delivery.
Prof. Ajayi also shared that reforms introduced under his administration have strengthened staff welfare, hospital stability, and national visibility, creating a solid foundation for his successor.
He will leave office on January 1, 2026, and plans to continue contributing to healthcare and humanity through personal capacity-building initiatives.
Expressing gratitude, Prof. Ajayi thanked the President for granting him the authority to lead FETHI and for supporting efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Ekiti State.
