Minister Outlines New Health Policy to Bring Back Nigerian Doctors Abroad
President Bola Tinubu has approved a new health policy aimed at addressing the persistent emigration of Nigerian doctors and healthcare professionals. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, stated that the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration is designed to attract Nigerian healthcare workers back from abroad.
Pate announced on his official social media account that the policy, approved during a Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, represents a strategic effort to manage and reverse the migration of health workers. He emphasized that the policy is not merely a reaction to the exodus but a proactive measure to build a robust healthcare workforce.
The policy includes initiatives to streamline registration processes and offer appealing incentives to encourage the return of Nigerian professionals. It also aims to integrate them effectively into the local health system. Additionally, the policy seeks to establish reciprocal agreements with other countries to ensure mutual benefits and protect Nigeria’s interests. The agreements will include a provision for a 1:1 training replacement for each Nigerian health worker recruited abroad.
In a further commitment to improving working conditions, the policy addresses the importance of work-life balance by incorporating measures such as regular health checks, mental health support, and reasonable working hours, particularly for younger doctors.
Prof Pate highlighted that many Nigerian healthcare workers have sought opportunities abroad due to poor working conditions, inadequate resources, and low salaries. The new policy includes the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme, which will regularly review and enhance working conditions, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
He noted that Nigerian-trained doctors are highly sought after globally, with 67% currently practicing in the UK. Pate remarked that if these professionals were to leave the NHS, it would face significant challenges. He stressed the importance of ethical recruitment practices and suggested that countries benefiting from Nigerian-trained professionals should contribute to expanding training opportunities in Nigeria.
Overall, the policy reflects a commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare sector while engaging in health diplomacy and promoting ethical practices in recruitment.
