Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu is concerned about the massive exodus of trained medical personnel to developed nations in search of greener pastures.
The Special Adviser to the President on Public Health Matters, Salma Anas, stated this Monday at the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria 2023 Conference held in Abuja.
Anas noted that the development was becoming alarming as the administration of President Tinubu has started partnering with medical schools abroad to fast track massive improvements in the nation’s health system.
She said: “President Bola Tinubu is worried about the ‘japa syndrome’ which we inherited from previous administrations for obvious reasons.
“Part of our commitment is that we want to reverse that ugly trend and ensure that we sustain and retain our medical experts within the country through several interventions and measures.
“Part of the efforts is the motivation of our health sector workers within Nigeria, not only through regular payment of salaries and allowances but also in terms of provision of conducive working environment.
“We will do this through the provision of the state-of-the-art medical facilities at all levels especially the primary level of healthcare.
“Apart from this, we are concentrating efforts into producing more health workers in all fields because they are grossly inadequate.”
Also speaking on the occasion, the Provost of the Federal School of Medical Laboratory and Technology (FSMLT), Jos, Plateau State, Dr. Sunday Etukudoh, and the National President, Association of Medical Laboratory of Nigeria, Bassey Bassey, explained efforts being made to stop quackery in the health sector.
The association said the body, in collaboration with the Medical Laboratory Science of Nigeria, has shut down numerous unregistered laboratories to reduce wrong diagnosis and other illegal activities that is affecting the image of the profession across the country.
The 2023 Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria’s conference is with the theme, ‘Universal health coverage: the medical laboratories priority in Nigeria’.
It is aimed at tackling challenges confronting the sector, as well as brainstorming and implementing ideas adopted at the end of the event to reduce the growing trend of brain drain in the health sector.
The conference also discussed how to improve and achieve a better working condition.
The laboratory scientists also explained plans to begin the process of manufacturing equipment and other needed essential medical items in Nigeria.
L-R: Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Health Matters, Salman Anas, and the Provost, Federal School of Medical Laboratory and Technology (FSMLT), Jos, Plateau State, Dr Sunday Etukudoh at the Commissioning of the Association of Medical Laboratory of Nigeria’s Building project in Abuja…. yesterday
