Anastasia Okechukwu Reporting
The National Assembly has been petitioned by the Diaspora Medical Associations (DMA) on a bill that would require medical and dental graduates to perform five years of mandatory service in Nigeria before receiving a full license to practice.
The Association condemned the medical and mental Act (Amendment) bill introduced by Ganiyi Johnson, in a letter jointly signed by the President, the Nigerian Doctors’ Forum, South Africa, Dr Emeka Ugwu; the President, Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, Dr Chinyere Anyaogu; the President, Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain, Dr Chris Agbo; the President, Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists, Dr Nnamdi Ndubuka; and the President, Nigerian Medical Association-Germany, Dr Al Amin Dahiru and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to DMA,The bill that aims to address the negative impacts of brain drain might not be the best course of action to deal with the issue, and it will likely have the opposite effect of what it was intended to do.
Part of the statement read: “We recognise the problems posed by the exodus of Nigerian medical professionals from our health system, including, but not limited to decreased access to health care services, lack of quality of care, care delivery deserts the inability to adequately enact health care and public health policy due to lack of manpower and leadership resource.
The Association also said that the caused of brain drain are poor care delivery framework which is as a result of the Government failure to invest in the health sector and inability to promote professionalism, growth and work satisfaction and are beyond individual control.
“Other major drivers include very poor welfare packages, high levels of insecurity, limited opportunities for employment, subspecialty training, sociopolitical and economic instability. The majority of these issues stem from outside the health care system and are outside of an individual’s control.
“Indeed, good governance and commitment to future investment in health care would improve conditions in the country that will allow security, good education for children, improved compensation, as described in the Abuja Declaration.”
The Doctors’ Association further called on the Leadership of the National Assembly not to focus on the one aspect of a problem but look for approach to a sustainable solution and pledged to support positive changes, and growth of the health sector to stop and reverse the brain drain in Nigeria.
“Young professionals leave the country in search of better opportunities. Many are frustrated by the consequences of governance failures that have progressively worsened over the past 30 years.
“The unfortunate reality is the health care system is in a state of serious neglect, training and career development opportunities are limited further impairing earning potential. Insecurity is rampant. Equity and justice are lacking for the average Nigerian.
“The Diaspora Medical Associations are invested in crafting effective solutions and are willing to participate in fostering solutions to that extent.”