Health is Wealth

President Tinubu Introduces New Policy to Combat Nigerian Doctor Exodus

Written by Jerry Alomatu on August 14, 2024

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On Monday, President Bola Tinubu endorsed the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, aimed at curbing the migration of Nigerian doctors to foreign countries. The initiative was publicly revealed by Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, via his X account on Tuesday.

The new policy seeks to attract approximately 12,400 Nigerian-trained doctors currently working abroad back to Nigeria. Prof. Pate highlighted that a significant portion of these doctors, about 67%, are practicing in the United Kingdom.

In a statement on Channels TV, Pate pointed out the implications of this migration on both the healthcare sector and the UK’s NHS, which relies heavily on Nigerian professionals. He stressed that while the UK benefits from Nigerian expertise, it is essential for countries recruiting these professionals to contribute to expanding Nigeria’s healthcare training infrastructure.

Pate elaborated that the policy is not just a reaction to the current outflow of healthcare workers but a strategic framework designed to manage and reverse this trend. He emphasized that the policy includes measures to support and retain Nigeria’s healthcare workforce by improving working conditions and integrating advanced health technologies, such as electronic medical records and telehealth systems.

The policy also outlines the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme, which aims to regularly assess and enhance working conditions for health workers, especially in underserved regions. It focuses on continuous professional development and international training partnerships to bolster the skills of Nigerian healthcare professionals.

Additionally, the policy addresses the reintegration of health professionals returning from the Diaspora, proposing streamlined registration processes and attractive incentives to encourage their return. It also includes provisions for reciprocal agreements with other nations to ensure that the recruitment of Nigerian health workers contributes to training new professionals in Nigeria.

Tashikalmah Hallah, Senior Adviser for Media and External Relations, mentioned ongoing negotiations with countries hosting Nigerian healthcare workers to support improvements in Nigeria’s health training facilities. He confirmed that the policy is effective immediately following its adoption by the Federal Executive Council.

Despite the positive outlook, some healthcare professionals have expressed cautious optimism. Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, called for more detailed information on the policy’s implementation. He highlighted the need for clarity on how the policy will impact healthcare workers’ rights and address migration challenges effectively.

The Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Lagos State Council, Toba Odumosu, welcomed the policy’s potential but stressed the importance of understanding its specifics. He supported the proposed 1:1 training match system, which would require countries hiring Nigerian-trained professionals to contribute to the training of new healthcare workers in Nigeria.

Recent data indicates that as of December 2023, approximately 12,198 Nigerian-trained doctors are licensed in the UK, with additional Nigerian doctors working across other African nations. Furthermore, the number of Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives in the UK has increased by 28.3% in the past year, according to the latest figures.