The Federal Government has announced new policies to improve welfare packages for health workers to stem their exodus.
According to the Health Minister, Ali Pate on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, the new National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, approved by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at addressing the exodus of health workers from Nigeria.
Pate revealed the high global demand for doctors and nurses trained in Nigeria, with 67 per cent of them sought after by the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS).
He acknowledged that Nigerian health professionals were highly attractive globally and that the country should be proud of their achievements.
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However, he stated that not all health workers leave Nigeria, and those who do have their reasons.
The Minister disclosed that the policy focuses on health diplomacy and promoting ethical recruitment practices.
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He stressed the strain of health worker migration on Nigeria and the need for recruitment countries to take responsibility for expanding training capacities.
On that, he suggested exploring corridors for compact agreements, allowing for the replacement of departing health workers with newly trained ones.
The Minister also mentioned that over 75 per cent of health workers trained in the last year have left Nigeria as economic migrants.
While acknowledging the freedom of movement, Pate reassured the government’s commitment to creating conducive conditions for health workers to stay and practice in Nigeria.
The new policy aims to provide incentives for medical workers to stay, including improved welfare packages and enhanced capacity development.
It also focuses on promoting a decent work environment, with a maximum 12-hour shift per day.
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