On Monday, President Bola Tinubu approved a National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to address the ongoing trend of Nigerian doctors relocating abroad.
Announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, the policy aims to attract the estimated 12,400 Nigerian-trained doctors currently practicing overseas.
Pate highlighted that 67% of Nigerian-trained doctors are working in the United Kingdom. He stressed the importance of countries recruiting Nigerian professionals to support Nigeria in expanding its training programs, given the persistent migration of health workers.
He emphasized that Nigerian professionals are essential to the UK’s NHS, with a significant portion of the NHS workforce being Nigerian.
The new policy, as Pate explained, is not just a reaction to the migration issue but a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse the trend.
While health workers welcomed the policy, they sought details on its implementation. Pate announced the policy as a significant step toward transforming healthcare human resource management in Nigeria, reflecting President Tinubu’s commitment to a resilient healthcare system.
This policy aims to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s health workforce, focusing on retaining and optimizing the workforce to meet the country’s healthcare needs.
It includes regular reviews of working conditions, particularly in rural areas, and emphasizes the integration of digital health technologies, capacity building, and continuous professional development.
Additionally, the policy supports the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals from the diaspora, offering incentives and streamlined processes.
The government is also negotiating with countries that receive Nigerian health workers to help improve Nigeria’s health training facilities.
The policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council, is effective immediately and mandates that healthcare workers who receive training abroad return to apply their new skills in Nigeria.
