Nigeria’s President Approves Policy to Address Health Workforce Migration, Woo Back Doctors Abroad
Date: November 27, 2023
Lagos, Nigeria: President Bola Tinubu has approved a national policy to address the exodus of Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad, with the aim of retaining and wooing back doctors trained in Nigeria. The policy, announced by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, is designed to manage, harness, and reverse health workers’ migration.
Key Highlights:
- The policy aims to retain top talent in Nigeria and create a supportive work environment, including routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours.
- Nigeria’s President has approved the policy, which envisions a thriving workforce that is well-supported, adequately rewarded, and optimally utilized to meet the healthcare needs of all Nigerians.
- The policy includes provisions for regular reviews of working conditions, ensuring that health workers, especially in rural and underserved areas, receive recognition and rewards they deserve.
- Capacity building is at the heart of the policy, recognizing the importance of continuous professional development and strategic partnerships for international training.
- The policy addresses the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals from the diaspora, including streamlined registration processes and attractive incentives.
Reactions:
- President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Prof Muhammad Muhammad, expressed guarded optimism, calling for details on the policy and its implementation plan.
- Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Lagos State Council, Toba Odumosu, acknowledged the policy’s promise but emphasized the importance of understanding its details.
Statistics:
- According to the General Medical Council in the UK, as of December 3, 2023, the number of Nigerian-trained doctors licensed to practice in the UK was 12,198.
- The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria data showed that 281 Nigerian doctors are working in other African countries, with the majority in Sudan and South Africa.
Implementation Plan:
- The policy will be implemented by the National Human Resources for Health Programme within the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with state governments.
- The Federal Government is negotiating with countries where Nigerian healthcare workers migrate to, to improve health training facilities and training one worker to replace every publicly trained Nigerian worker.
As Nigeria’s healthcare sector grapples with the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals, this policy offers a beacon of hope for retaining top talent and addressing the country’s health workforce crisis. However, the success of this policy depends on its effective implementation and the cooperation of recipient countries.
