Over 2,000 Nigerian medical workers leave the country annually
for developed countries, the Nigerian Medical Association has said.
President of the Association, Dr Francis Faduyile, stated this at the
Annual General Conference/Delegates meeting of the association in
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Thursday.
He said
the drift informed the choice of theme for the meeting, ‘Skill
Repatriation in the Health Sector: Turning Nigeria’s brain drain to
brain gain.’
“We believe this ugly situation
can be turned to an advantage; hence the need to bring this to the
front burner for discussion and proffer a way out to the country’s
advantage.”
Faduyile also claimed
politicians in the country seemed not to be worried by the trend because
they did not have necessary statistics and facts on the matter.
“Without intent at generating further controversy on the matter
arising from the unfortunate remark by a senior cabinet member of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria who incidentally or coincidentally doubles
as a senior member of the medical profession, it is our firm belief that
this gathering will generates further statistics and facts that
possibly will be enough in convincing those policymakers at critical
MDAs of government at all levels, including the Federal Ministry of
Labour and Productivity who perhaps have yet to come to reality with the
scientifically unambiguous deleterious aftermath of the worsening
disparity between the health workforce in general and the population.
Then, they can join us in the clarion call for action and be committed
to instituting necessary actions,” Faduyile said.
Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, also expressed worry at
the increasing rate of brain drain in the country’s medical sector.
Represented by the Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal
Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Dr Emeka Onwe, the minister said the
Federal Government was working hard to end the exodus of medical workers
from the country.
He said, “I am not
particularly happy with the latest trend of doctors leaving the country
to other lands for greener pastures. We shall continue to ensure that
the welfare of the health workforce is improved. Our effort at
centralising the internship posting of newly graduated doctors has
received the support of the Federal Executive Council and will be rolled
out within the year.”
Prof Adewale said the
FG had instituted a programme geared towards engaging doctors who had
acquired latest skills and knowledge that would transform the health
sector.
“The ministry will continue to
improve on these activities to encourage the diasporans to make
increased contribution to our health care delivery,” he said.
The minister also expressed concern over the inability of some state
governments to recruit and keep medical doctors including specialists in
their secondary and tertiary care hospitals.
“In many cases, most local governments’ health facilities do not have a
doctor. These are related to poor welfare and remuneration package at
various levels amongst other factors,” he said.
Declaring the conference open, the state Governor, David Umahi,
promised to continue to support doctors and other health care
practitioners in the state.
He said his
administration would commence the construction of a new teaching
hospital in June for the state university’s medical school in Uburu.
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