National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Mike
Ogirima has revealed that Three hundred Nigerian doctors left the country in 2016.
Ogirima has revealed that Three hundred Nigerian doctors left the country in 2016.
He said more doctors have already joined the migration train this
year. He did not give any statistics, although NAN learnt that 500
doctors sat for qualifying foreign medical examinations to move out.
year. He did not give any statistics, although NAN learnt that 500
doctors sat for qualifying foreign medical examinations to move out.
Ogirima made this revelation at the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Lagos.
The meeting had as its theme, “Exodus of Healthcare Professionals, Time to Act is Now. ”
According to some reports, an estimated 35,000 Nigerian doctors are
practising abroad, out of the 72,000 registered with the Medical and
Dental Council of Nigeria. The United Kingdom and the United States are
the top destinations of the migrant doctors.
practising abroad, out of the 72,000 registered with the Medical and
Dental Council of Nigeria. The United Kingdom and the United States are
the top destinations of the migrant doctors.
In August, an official of the National Association of Resident
Doctors (NARD), Dr. Abimbola Olajide, revealed that no fewer than 2,500
doctors would leave the country this year.
Doctors (NARD), Dr. Abimbola Olajide, revealed that no fewer than 2,500
doctors would leave the country this year.
“Nigeria is using her resources to train doctors and professionals at
the advantage of foreign countries.What are those things attracting
these professionals outside? Can we duplicate those things here?, ”
Ogirima asked.
the advantage of foreign countries.What are those things attracting
these professionals outside? Can we duplicate those things here?, ”
Ogirima asked.
The NMA President said that the responsibility to check the migration
lies with the government, the people and professionals to provide good
working environment.
lies with the government, the people and professionals to provide good
working environment.
Ogirima said, “The government should provide adequate remuneration.We
are not saying we should pay so much, but pay them for the job they are
doing as at when due.
are not saying we should pay so much, but pay them for the job they are
doing as at when due.
“We, on our part as professionals should look inward to change our
attitude to patients. We should make patients as the Centre focus of why
we are called doctors. ”
attitude to patients. We should make patients as the Centre focus of why
we are called doctors. ”
He said that the National Health Act of 2014 has not been fully
implemented despite warnings of legal action and its implications from
the NMA.
implemented despite warnings of legal action and its implications from
the NMA.
According to him, the act holds the key to revolutionising the health industry.
“It will encourage provision of additional fund to the system and ensure care of the vulnerable in the society.
“The present provision of only three to four per cent of our annual
budget to health sector is not helping the development of our system.
budget to health sector is not helping the development of our system.
“Some African countries who have voted up to 15 per cent or more to
their health systems are witnessing gradual improvement in their health
sector.
their health systems are witnessing gradual improvement in their health
sector.
“Nigerians are now patronising health facilities in our neighbouring countries, ” he said.
Also, the Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State, Prince Gbolahan
Lawal, urged NMA to create sustainable policies that would make major
economic impact on Nigerians.
Lawal, urged NMA to create sustainable policies that would make major
economic impact on Nigerians.
Lawal said, “If we consider informal housing, that is, houses that do
not have the approval of government and located in slum areas, and the
consequences, it has a lot to do with health.
not have the approval of government and located in slum areas, and the
consequences, it has a lot to do with health.
“The government already has building code that does not allow for houses not good for human habitat, “ he said. (NAN)
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