On Monday, President Bola Tinubu approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, a strategic initiative designed to address the ongoing exodus of Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals to foreign countries.
The policy was announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, who shared details on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday and further elaborated during an appearance on Channels TV.
This policy aims to attract approximately 12,400 Nigerian-trained doctors currently practicing abroad, with a particular focus on the 67 percent of these professionals who are working in the United Kingdom.
Professor Pate highlighted the significant impact of Nigerian healthcare workers in the UK, noting that 25 percent of the National Health Service (NHS) workforce consists of Nigerian professionals.
He emphasized the critical role Nigerians play in global healthcare systems, particularly in the UK, where their absence would likely cripple NHS services.The newly signed policy is not just a reactive measure to the current trend of healthcare migration but is described as a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and potentially reverse this migration.
The goal is to create a thriving health workforce in Nigeria that is well-supported, adequately compensated, and effectively utilized to meet the nation’s healthcare needs.
However, while the policy has been met with cautious optimism, healthcare professionals are calling for more details and clarity on its implementation. They are particularly interested in how the government plans to address the root causes of migration, such as inadequate equipment, worsening security conditions, poor working environments, and low salaries.
The policy introduces the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme, which will regularly review working conditions for healthcare professionals, especially those in rural and underserved areas, to ensure they receive appropriate recognition and rewards. It also aims to integrate advanced health technologies, such as electronic medical records and telehealth, into the healthcare system, thereby enhancing efficiency and equitable distribution of health workers.
Capacity building is another key focus of the policy, with plans for continuous professional development and strategic international partnerships to provide Nigerian healthcare professionals with cutting-edge skills.
Additionally, the policy addresses the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals from the diaspora, offering streamlined registration processes and attractive incentives to encourage their return.
The policy also advocates for reciprocal agreements with countries that recruit Nigerian healthcare workers, proposing a “1:1 match” system. Under this system, for every Nigerian-trained healthcare worker hired by a foreign country, that country would help train a replacement in Nigeria, ensuring that the nation’s health workforce is not depleted.
Despite the promising aspects of the policy, healthcare professionals like the President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Professor Muhammad Muhammad, express skepticism, describing the policy as potentially more theoretical than practical. He called for a thorough review of the policy document to ensure it includes actionable steps and safeguards the rights of healthcare workers.
Similarly, the Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos State Council, Toba Odumosu, expressed cautious support for the policy, particularly the 1:1 training match.
However, he emphasized the need for more detailed information to fully understand its implications and ensure its successful implementation.
As of December 3, 2023, data from the General Medical Council in the UK indicated that 12,198 Nigerian-trained doctors are licensed to practice in the UK. Additionally, according to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), 281 Nigerian doctors are practicing in other African countries, including Sudan, South Africa, Egypt, and Ghana.
The policy’s immediate implementation will be overseen by the National Human Resources for Health Programme in collaboration with state governments, ensuring that it aligns with broader health objectives.
The Federal Government is also in discussions with countries that receive Nigerian healthcare workers to support improvements in Nigeria’s health training facilities.
While the policy is a bold step towards addressing the brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, its success will depend on effective execution, transparency, and collaboration with all stakeholders involved.
