EFFECT OF BRAIN DRAIN ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: The emigration of skilled healthcare professionals, or brain drain, critically undermines health system stability in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigates the impact of brain drain on service delivery at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA), Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire administered to 364 healthcare professionals. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to examine the effect of brain drain on drug administration, service timeliness, and patient safety. Results: Majority of respondents (59.9%) perceived brain drain as severe. Regression results showed brain drain has a significant negative effect on all three outcomes: drug administration (p=0.006), timeliness of service delivery (p<0.001), and patient safety (p<0.001). Staff loss was the strongest predictor of poor patient safety, reducing the odds of safe service delivery by over 80% (Exp(B)=0.173). Conclusion: Brain drain significantly compromises healthcare quality, timeliness, and safety at FETHA. Strategic manpower planning, enhanced retention policies, and improved working conditions are urgently needed to mitigate these adverse effects and strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary healthcare system.