The Impact of ‘Japa Syndrome’ on Human Capital Availability in Nigeria’s Medical Industry
This study investigates the impact of ‘Japa Syndrome’ on the availability of human capital within Nigeria’s medical industry, driven by the mass emigration of healthcare professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. The main goals are to measure the impact of the syndrome on the supply of medical personnel, determine the driving forces for emigration, evaluate the resulting quality of healthcare services, and suggest solutions to these problems. A cross-sectional survey of 182 healthcare professionals from various parts of Nigeria was carried out using a quantitative research methodology. Regression analysis and other statistical studies were used to evaluate the connection between economic factors, healthcare professional availability, and migratory influences. Findings reveal that economic factors, particularly low salaries and inadequate working conditions, significantly contribute to the emigration of medical professionals, with a corresponding 63% increase in available professionals if these issues are addressed. The emigration of healthcare workers negatively impacts the quality of services, resulting in longer wait times and reduced patient care. Given these results, this study suggests practical ways to lessen the impact of “Japa Syndrome,” such as improving working conditions, offering competitive salaries, enhancing career development opportunities, and implementing robust institutional policies. Retaining qualified healthcare workers and making sure Nigeria’s healthcare system can sufficiently serve its people’s needs depend on addressing these issues.
Keywords: Emigration, Healthcare Professionals, Human Capital, Healthcare Quality, Japa Syndrome
