How Nigeria can end migration of health workers – MCDN

MDCN Registrar, MDCN, Dr Fatima Kyari stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Abia where she attended the induction ceremony of second batch of medical doctors of Gregory University, Uturu held at Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre Umuahia.Kyari, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar and Head, Planning, Research and Statistics of MDCN, Dr Victor Kolawole, decried the grave implications of the exodus of medical professionals on the health sector, called for quick action to halt the trend.

She acknowledged  that health workers in Nigeria “are well trained”, hence, the high demand for them abroad,  but regretted that  poor condition of service in the country, drive them into search for greener pasture abroad.

” Nigerian doctors are well trained, that’s why they are highly sought after abroad.

” But we are doing all we can to reverse their migration. That’s where our focus is – to ensure that the high quality of practitioners we produce in this country stay back to tackle the numerous health challenges of the citizens.

” Government needs to provide the enabling environment to ensure they remain here in the country. Nigeria is growing in population, and we need doctors and health care professionals to man the health care needs”.

Addressing the inductees earlier, the MDCN boss charged medical doctors to respect the ethics of the profession, and to deliver excellent service.

She also charged them  to place the health and wellbeing of patients above other considerations.