The umbrella body of Nigerian medical practitioners in diaspora, Diaspora Medical Associations (DMA), has issued a petition against the National Assembly over the bill seeking to compel medical and dental graduates to fulfill five-year compulsory services within Nigeria before they could be granted full license to practice.
In its letter entitled “Re: A position statement from diaspora medical associations – Bill seeking to restrict newly-qualified medical doctors and dentists from leaving Nigeria,” dated April 11, 2023 and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the medical body disclosed its contrariant posture to the recent NASS’ bill purported to be the antidote of medical brain-drain in Nigeria.
In the letter, the medical body claimed the bill is counterproductive and will not actualize the intended goal of curbing brain drain in the country. The body also noted that focusing on one aspect of a problem without taking a holistic approach to a sustainable solution would be ineffective.
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The body also copied the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe; and the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Dr Tanko Sununu.
Signatories of the petition include 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.
In its statement, the DMA said, “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 major cause of brain drain includes a poor care delivery framework from a failure to invest in the health care to foster a conducive environment. The system does not promote professionalism, growth, work satisfaction, or a high-reliability culture.
“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.”
“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.”
However, the doctors called on the Speaker to embrace the purposeful systemic solution and ensure that a ‘quick fix’ attempt does not worsen the situation. They also pledged to support positive changes, and growth of the health sector to stop and reverse the brain drain in Nigeria.