Nigerians react as Buhari govt says Medical Doctors are free to leave Nigeria

Nigerians on social media have reacted to a statement by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige permitting medical doctors to leave Nigeria, to practice outside the country.

Ngige said this on Tuesday while as a guest on Channels TV Sunrise Daily, adding that Nigeria has surplus doctors.

“I’m Not Worried, We Have Surplus (Doctors), if we have a surplus, we export. I was taught Biology and Chemistry by Indian teachers in my secondary school days,” Ngige said.

His statement has stirred diverse reactions from Nigerians.
Here are some comments gathered by Fidelis Chidi Blog from Twitter:
@Thecardinal911, “In a country with less than 80k doctors for a population of over 170million people, that is 2125 people to one doctor and a minister says he has surplus. Wow! Just wow! The WHO prescribes 1 doctor to 1000 people and we’re over 2x that value but our leaders think it’s just fine.”

@Fayotomotyfe “Ha! But who did we offend in this country though? We have enough doctors but their president spent a good part of his term outside Nigeria receiving medical treatment. I don tire. God save us really.”
@Babalolaadekun1 “Are these the best we have to lead us? To think of it, it took Pa Buhari months to scout for this fellow?
@Ummita71 “Doctors are free to leave Nigeria b/c the likes of Ngige have stolen more than enough to fund their medical tourism when the need arises. Until this shenanigan of political officers travelling out for treatment is stopped, we will keep hearing arrogant and stupid talks like this.”
@iamperfkt “This is a clear case of where common sense isn’t common .it isn’t about doctors leaving Nigeria but our best hands. Developed countries keep theirs, we lose ours. And the irony is that you people get treated abroad by our best hands while the poor suffer here.”
@Kingso_Lala “Please Nigerian doctors don’t listen to him. We are the ones that will suffer it. You know they don’t even use our hospitals, that’s what motivates them to make such comments. Please stay for us!
@LordkinGideon “That’s how to identify empty drums that are not fit for any dignify political post in Nigeria. Believe me if political office holder in U.S make such a statement, he will resign the next day as means of apologizing. Nigeria Ntooo! Dis is wat Buhari has done to our country.”
@Hon_Bakare “Some people don’t deserve to be in government!
@Ologboijakadi “This is so disheartening!
And coming from a “doctor”, it speaks volumes of the level of ineptitude and primitive defence mechanism been exhibited by some ministers in this government! Statements like this are heard from people on tramadol.”e comment made by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige about medical doctors in the country.

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