Nigerian Resident Doctors Call for Health Sector Emergency and Palliatives amid Petrol Subsidy Removal.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to declare a state of emergency in the health sector. In addition, the association has urged the Federal Government to provide palliatives to mitigate the impact of the removal of petrol subsidies.
The doctors argued that the funds previously allocated to the subsidy should be channeled into meaningful investments that would enhance the well-being of all Nigerians.
They emphasized the need for strategic utilization of these resources to address the pressing challenges facing the healthcare system.
Commenting on the issue of brain drain among medical professionals in the country, Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat stressed the importance of medical colleges in Nigeria expanding their capacity to train more doctors. He acknowledged that many medical practitioners had chosen to leave Nigeria for developed countries, making it imperative for the nation to increase its doctor production to adequately serve its population.
Hamzat acknowledged the inevitability of human migration and recognized that people would continue to move around the world. However, he emphasized the need to establish a robust system for training doctors within the country rather than lamenting the brain drain phenomenon.
The deputy governor proposed a significant increase in the number of doctors trained annually, suggesting that if the current figure stands at 5,000, it should be raised to 15,000. He emphasized the numerous benefits that such an expansion would bring to the nation, ensuring a more robust healthcare system capable of meeting the population's needs.
By calling for a state of emergency in the health sector and advocating for the efficient use of resources, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors aims to address the pressing challenges facing the healthcare system. Furthermore, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat's recommendation to enhance medical training capacity within the country reflects a proactive approach to mitigating the brain drain and securing a sustainable healthcare workforce for Nigeria.
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