In a strategic move to address the growing issue of healthcare workforce migration, President Bola Tinubu has endorsed a new national policy designed to retain Nigerian healthcare professionals within the country. This development was announced by Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, who described the policy as a comprehensive effort to manage, harness, and reverse the trend of healthcare professionals leaving Nigeria.
The newly approved policy aims not only to retain healthcare workers but also to attract those who have migrated back to Nigeria by offering enticing incentives. According to Pate, this strategy seeks to reintegrate returning professionals into the national health system, thereby bridging the gaps caused by the brain drain. The policy also includes the establishment of reciprocal agreements with other nations, ensuring that the exchange of healthcare workers is mutually beneficial.
“This approach leverages the expertise of our diaspora to bridge gaps within the health sector,” said Pate. He emphasized the importance of bilateral and multilateral agreements that protect Nigeria’s interests while respecting the rights and aspirations of healthcare workers. A key component of the policy is a call for recipient countries to adopt a 1:1 training model, which would require them to train one healthcare worker for every Nigerian worker they receive.
Additionally, the policy places a strong emphasis on improving the working conditions of healthcare professionals in Nigeria. It recognizes the importance of work-life balance and includes provisions for regular health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours, particularly for younger doctors. These measures are aimed at creating a supportive work environment, reducing burnout, and enhancing job satisfaction among healthcare workers.
The implementation and governance of this policy will be overseen by the National Human Resources for Health Program (NHRHP) in collaboration with state governments. This collaboration ensures that the policy is responsibly executed and aligned with broader health sector objectives.
With these measures, the Tinubu administration hopes to stem the tide of healthcare professionals leaving the country and ensure that Nigeria’s health system remains robust and capable of meeting the needs of its population.