The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said that more than 2, 000 indigenous medical doctors leave Nigeria annually for overseas to practice their trade.
The NMA president, Dr. Francis Faduyile who stated this yesterday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State at the opening of the annual general conference/delegates meeting of the association, said such unfortunate migration informed the theme of the conference: ‘Skills repatriation in the health sector: Turning Nigeria’s brain drain to gain.”
“It is our belief that this ugly situation can be made advantageous hence, the need to bring it to the front burner, discuss and find solutions to the country’s advantage.
“Nigerian politicians seem not worried about this trend as they do not have the necessary facts and statistics on the issue,” he said.
Faduyile noted that without generating further controversies on the matter, the conference will generate further affirmative statistics and facts on the issue.
“This is as a result of unfortunate remarks made by a senior cabinet member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who incidentally is a senior member of the medical profession.
“These affirming facts will possibly convince policy makers at critical ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) to realize the scientific aftermath of the worsening disparity between the health workforce and the population,” he said.
In his remarks, the minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who was represented by the chief medical director of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Dr. Emeka Ogah, said the federal government was striving to halt the exodus.
“We are not happy with latest incidences of doctors seeking greener pastures outside the country and we will continue improving the welfare of the health workforce.
“The federal executive council has supported our efforts to centralise internship positing and this will be unveiled within a year,” he said.
In his welcome address, the governor of the state, Mr. David Umahi said his administration would start the construction a new teaching hospital in June for the state university’s medical school in Uburu.
“We will redouble our efforts at improving the health sector to ensure that our people are provided with adequate healthcare,” he said.
The governor expressed appreciation to the NMA for choosing the state for the conference.
He pledged that his administration would continue to collaborate with it to ensure adequate healthcare delivery to the people.
With NAN report
