NMA Backs FG’s Measures to Stem Brain Drain in Health Sector
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed support for the federal government’s directive to university medical colleges in the country to double their students’ intake as part as strategies to reduce the impact of brain drain.
The association said as one of the key stakeholders in the healthcare sector, it was ready to partner with government to resolve the challenges affecting healthcare delivery system in the country.
Newly elected President of NMA, Prof. Bala Mohammed Audu, who addressed journalists in Abuja, yesterday, said the association was happy with the federal government’s move to enhance the raise the students’ intake of most Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria.
He added: ” The policy move by the federal government to double the intake medical students by colleges of Medicine in the country is a step in the right direction.
“We believe that this measure will help to address the impact of the exodus of doctors by filling the gaps in healthcare professionals.
“We are going to work closely with government and encourage them to put all the necessary infrastructure for manpower training as well as equipment that critical for the training of these medical students.
“So, we are to further work with government to open up more spaces for employment of qualified medical Lecturers and resident doctors as well as open up additional training opportunities for resident doctors in the country,” he said.
However, Audu said the issue of brain drain cannot be addressed only by training more young medical students but it also important to train more post graduate doctors who will take up the teaching positions to train these students.
While reading the communique issued at the NMA 64th Annual General/Scientific Conference and Delegates meeting held on Monday in Calabar, Cross River State, Audu said the association urged government at all levels to, as a matter of urgency, prioritise and show more commitment to healthcare funding.
He explained that the increase in funding would enable payment of better and competitive wages, improving working conditions and creating enabling environment for medical practice.
“These are critical interventions necessary to reverse the on-going brain drain. The meeting resolved that the introduction of Euthanasia in the medical practice in Nigeria requires careful considerations because of ethical, legal, religious, social and cultural diversities,” he added.
In the communique, the NMA further urged government and security agencies to effectively check security lapses and the ravaging incidence of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria.
“The AGC/DM resolved to write letters of commendation to the Executive Governors of Ekiti, Rivers and Ebonyi States for running doctor friendly administrations in their respective states.
“The meeting implores all States to develop appropriate legal frame-work where unavailable to combat quackery in Nigeria,” he added.
