National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Mike
Ogirima has revealed.
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 exams 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.
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.
“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 NMA President said that the responsibility to check the
migration 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.
“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. ”
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.
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.
“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.
“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 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.
“The government already has building code that does not allow for
houses not good for human habitat, “ he said
NAN
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