The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has expressed worry over the brain drain in the health sector, noting that more than 2,000 medical workers leave Nigeria for developed countries annually.
The president of the Association, Dr. Francis Adedayo Faduyile, disclosed this on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference/Delegates’ meeting of the Association in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Faduyile said, “We believe that the situation can be turned to an advantage, hence the need to bring this to the front burner for discussion and proffer a way out to the country’s advantage.”
He lamented that the attitude of political leaders over the challenge only shows that they are disconnected with the reality of the sector.
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Commenting on the recent claim by the minister of labour and productivity, Chris Ngige, Faduyile said, “Without intent at generating further controversy on the matters arising from the unfortunate remark by a senior cabinet member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who, incidentally or coincidentally, doubles as a senior member of the Medical Profession, it is our firm belief that this gathering would generate firm statistics and facts that possibly would be enough in convincing those policy makers at critical MDAs of government at all levels, including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity who, perhaps, are yet to come to reality with the scientifically unambiguous deleterious aftermath of the worsening disparity between the health workforce in general and the population.
“Then, they can join us in the clarion call for action and be committed to instituting necessary actions,” he added.
Also, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Dr. Emeka Onwe, said the federal government was working hard to end the mass exodus of medical workers from the country.
In his remarks, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi promised to continue to support medical practice in the state.
He said his administration will commence the construction of a new Teaching Hospital in June for the state university’s medical school in Uburu.
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