Brain drain: Nigerian government vows to strengthen workforce
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has said the Federal Government would strengthen the workforce and reduce brain drain in the health sector.
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The minister, represented by the Director, Regulatory Bodies and Professional Schools Division, Dr Okpikpi Okpako, stated this at a two-day stakeholders meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
The meeting was organised by the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria with a theme: “Implementation of Rehabilitation 2030 Agenda in Nigeria: Training, Practice and Regulation.”
He said integrating the World Health Organisation Rehabilitation Agenda 2030 would address challenges of brain drain and improve access to rehabilitation services, thereby achieving UHC.
“The government is not unaware of the phenomenon as it affects the entire healthcare workforce. The japa syndrome has assumed an alarming trend in physiotherapy where Nigerians with relevant qualifications are continuously attracted abroad.
“Many medical tourists have come to give account of the rehabilitation services they received abroad at exorbitant costs.
”You can be rest assured that the healthcare system will be turned around in Nigeria in no distant time with what the government of the day has begun, no time for details.
“This gathering represents an important step in the implementation of the Rehabilitation 2030 Agenda initiative, which envisions that every citizen should be able to meet her or his rehabilitation needs.
“Your gathering today is a milestone for Nigeria in fulfilling its mandate to transform healthcare services delivery to assume Universal Health Coverage,’’ he said.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, MRTB, Prof. Rufai Ahmad, said, “We are coming here to meet with stakeholders to discuss how to initiate the process of rehabilitation from the perspective of practice, regulation and training.
“However, having these stakeholders will also give the opportunity to discuss matters that will require stakeholders attention to be able to have implementation of the rehabilitation 2030 agenda.’’
The Chairman, National Tertiary Health Standard Institution Standard Committee, said they would support the full implementation of policies that would strengthen rehabilitation services.
On his part, Prof. King David, representing Mr Chris Maiyaki, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, assured them of their commitment in training rehabilitation workers to strengthen their capacity.
“NUC has the capacity to regulate, retrain and assure you that we will partner together in developing a strategic aspect in the areas of academic contents, rehabilitation in medicine, accreditation and curriculum development and review for first degree and higher degrees.
“It will also include monitoring and evaluation of programmes. So I would like to assure you that we are ready to support and partner with you,” he said.
