A global diaspora of medical workers now looks toward home

“The issue of going back to Nigeria at this point to help is not a conversation.” Instead, the association is raising money to buy and ship protective equipment for front-line workers, reaching far beyond its U.S. base for sources.When the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-16 briefly spread to Nigeria, the association focused on sending “tons and tons” of protective gear, Emelife said.But the task is far more difficult now as the rest of the world competes for the same supplies.So the association is also exploring telemedicine, Emelife said, in which members can offer long-distance consultations for patients in Nigeria, where some private medical practices have shut down out of caution, further limiting options for care.“If what is happening in the U.S. or Italy should dare happen in Nigeria, there would be complete, total disorder,” said Dr. Biodun Ogunbo, who closed his private surgery facility in the capital, Abuja, for a month after the country’s first cases were reported. The diaspora group hopes to help rural communities “who don’t have the luxury of shutting their doors” improve sanitation ahead of the virus’ possible spread.“I am really encouraged by the doctors I’m speaking to in Ghana who are keeping a level head,” Ahiaku said, as the country’s virus cases near 650.Her Ghana-based colleague had been talking with the government on ways to streamline the process so medical professionals in the diaspora can come home and offer their services, she said.She hopes this pandemic might lead governments to invest more in health systems, giving medical workers more incentive to stay at home — or return for good.In Nigeria, where going overseas for medical treatment is a well-known practice among some government officials, Ogunbo wasn’t so sure.