BIG STORY

Fight Medical Tourism, Targeting Doctors Won’t Stop Brain Drain — NMA To Reps

Published

2 years ago

April 7, 2023

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed displeasure over a bill seeking to mandate medical and dental practitioners to practice for five years before relocating abroad.

The bill, which also says health workers must work for five years before getting a full license, passed the second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Sponsored by Ganiyu Johnson, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Lagos, the bill seeks to amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 2004, to address the brain drain in the health sector.

Johnson said it is only fair for medical doctors who enjoy taxpayer subsidies on their training to give back to society.

Meanwhile, NMA national president, Uche Ojinmah, on Friday dismissed the bill and said it would not see the light of day.

“I’m sure they know that bill cannot pass because it is against international labour laws. Everybody that passed through university was subsidised, why are they only interested in Nigerian medical personnel?” he asked.

“If they want to say everybody that passes through Nigerian institutions must not leave Nigeria for five years, it is okay because it is now a law that is not segregational. But to target just Nigerian doctors, it cannot stand the test of time.

“Why is the House of Representatives not interested in laws that will stop medical tourism? Don’t they think medical tourism is bad for Nigeria? Everybody from the president to the national assembly, they all go outside the country to get treated instead of taking care of our health sector. And the national assembly has not made any bill to control it.

“There are so many things in Nigeria that they should focus on but I’m happy that some members of the assembly opposed the bill. The bill is a segregation bill and cannot pass.”

The NMA president said all the national assembly had done by considering the bill is to press the panic button of Nigerian doctors, adding that it will cause them to leave the country in a rush.

“The solution is not the bill but to find out what is causing the brain drain and take care of it. You say they are going to look for greener pastures, make their pastures green in Nigeria. It is simple,” he said.

“Before you know it now, those planning to leave in one year or two will leave immediately because some of them will be scared.

“So let me use the opportunity to call on Nigerian doctors to be calm. Nobody will ever in my tenure as president, impede the freedom of movement of doctors. It is our constitutional right.”

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Related Topics:Big story doctors Medicine reps

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Education Minister Reverses 18-Year Age Limit For Admission

Published

9 hours ago

November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the removal of the 18-year age limit for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He also indicated the possibility of a comprehensive review of the nation’s education policy.

However, Alausa made it clear that there would be no reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to invalidate over 22,700 degree certificates acquired by Nigerians from unrecognized universities in neighboring Togo and the Benin Republic.

Speaking at his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Alausa emphasized that practical education is key to tackling Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. He stated that tertiary institutions must stop producing graduates without ensuring job opportunities for them.

The minister also revealed plans for the federal government to partner with private sector players to provide training opportunities for students and help them realize their full potential.

Additionally, Alausa announced that universities focused on agriculture would be empowered to implement commercial farming practices as part of efforts to address the country’s food security challenges.

More to come…

Post Views: 81

BIG STORY

JUST IN: 114 Released #EndBadGovernance Protesters Arrive Presidential Villa

Published

11 hours ago

November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

One hundred and fourteen #EndBadGovernance protesters, including minors and adults acquitted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, have arrived at the Presidential Villa.

The protesters, initially arraigned by the Police Force, were released following a court ruling by Justice Obiora Egwatu.

The case was dismissed at the request of the Attorney General of the Federation (“AGF”), Lateef Fagbemi.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to officially receive the released protesters.

They are then handed over to their respective Governors, specifically Uba Sani of Kaduna and Abba Yusuf of Kano.

Ministers present at the State House Auditorium in Abuja for the reception include: Tunji Alausa (“Minister of Education”); Nentawe Yilwatda (“Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”); Balarabe Lawal (“Minister of Environment”) and Tanko Sununu (“Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”).

Also, Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai, is in attendance.

Other dignitaries present are Deputy Senate President Jubrin Barau and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi.

More to come…

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