FG plans to replace health workers on Japa train

The Federal Government said  efforts were on to shore up the workforce in the nation’s health care system, including replacing health workers who have emigrated abroad in search of greener pastures.

The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas-Ibrahim, made this known on Tuesday at the Joint World Health Organisation stakeholders’ feedback workshop on the evaluation of the third WHO-Nigeria country cooperation strategy (2018-2022) and development of the fourth WHO-Nigeria cooperation strategy (2023-2027).

The PUNCH reports that the number of Nigerian-trained doctors practising in the United Kingdom has climbed to 11,478; while not less than 10,639 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives are practising in the UK.

Anas-Ibrahim said, “We are all aware that Nigeria is currently affected by the brain drain but even prior to the brain drain, our human resources are grossly inadequate, we are not yet there. So, efforts will be made towards ensuring that we address issues and enhance the capacity of our training institutions, both private and public sector, to step up action and leverage all opportunities that will guarantee sustainable human resources for health at all levels of our health care, particularly at the primary health care level in our communities.

“Efforts are ongoing to address a lot of the issues, including having one-for-one replacement immediately to replace those that have exited and efforts are ongoing to ensure that we have motivated, vibrant health workers that are retained and those that want to come back can come back and contribute to the health sector development.”

The President’s Special Adviser also said the Tinubu-led Federal Government was committed to the attainment of the health-for-all programme, through an efficient and effective Universal Health Coverage, where no one is left behind.

According to her, Tinubu’s health sector agenda, tagged “Healthcare: A matter of right and urgency” has an action plan for a better Nigeria.

Also, the WHO Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, said the CCS review was remarkable as it came during a political transition in the country, providing a potential policy change and transformation window.

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