Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, 9th Assembly, says the migration of workforce has affected global healthcare system.
Oloriegbe stated this in Ilorin while delivering a paper presentation at the 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The theme of the weeklong conference is: “Postgraduate Medical Training in Nigeria: Achievements, Limitations, Innovations and Prospects”.
Oloriegbe spoke on the topic: “Stemming the Tide of Brain Drain Through Legislation: The Intricacies”.
He said that all sectors in the country were being affected by migration of workforce, noting that it is not only Nigeria that is witnessing the trend.
He underscored the need for positive solutions to the critical issue of brain drain affecting Nigeria and other developing nations.
According to him, virtually all fields in the healthcare system is affected by Japa (workforce migration) syndrome, including clinical services, pharmacy, nursing and lab technicians.
The expert observed that the situation would infringe on the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on Health 2030.
He explained that the SDG aimed at achieving universal health coverage, and providing access to safe and affordable medicines and vaccines for all.
He listed the factors promoting migration of workforce to include poor remuneration, work overload, job stress, issue of insecurity and lack of working tools and facilities.
Oloriegbe explained that for healthcare system to be ideal, it must be available, accessible, acceptable and of quality.
He regretted that the developing countries used their resources and manpower to train manpower but ended up losing them to developed nations to enjoy.
“This means Nigeria is not benefiting the services of their efforts. The destination country are the ones getting all the benefits,” he lamented.
Oloriegbe therefore advocated bilateral agreement between workforce importing and exporting countries on compensation, stating the need for better salary pay, incentives, loans and better allocation to equip hospitals.
Also in his presentation, Prof. Biodun Alabi, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, emphasized the importance of residency program, puring for practical experience and technical skills required by trainees to become full-time doctors.
The don spoke on the topic: “Postgraduate Medical Training in Nigeria: Achievements, Limitations, Innovations and Prospects”, and observed that though the training was tough and expensive, ‘’there is need for good mentorship’’.
Alabi enjoined the government to give more attention to improved funding of residency and ensure doctors were better remunerated to avoid strike actions.
Mr Kayode Alabi, the Kwara Deputy Governor, commended NARD for contributing towards the healthcare system in the country.
He, however, appealed to the doctors against migrating from the country, adding that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had been demonstrating commitment in revamping the healthcare system in the state.
Earlier, Dr Emeka Orji, the NARD President, explained that the AGM afford the entire membership of the association another opportunity to take stock and assess progress made in the last year.
Orji added that it is time to review the numerous welfare challenges bothering members, recount success and strategize on how to address outstanding ones.
Dr Mubaraq Ijaiya, the President of Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH), said the need for re-evaluation of medical training process towards having a proven system was overdue
