You're Free
To Leave, We Have Enough Doctors - Chris Ngige.
The
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, says doctors who feel they want
to relocate in search of greener pastures are free to do so as the nation has
enough medical personnel.
The
minister was responding to a question on brain drain and the deliberate
recruitment of Nigerian doctors by foreign embassies in Nigeria to the
detriment of the nation’s health sector.
Ngige
spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
In
his response, however, Ngige, who is also a medical doctor, said there was
nothing wrong with doctors leaving the country as they would continue to send
foreign exchange home which could, in turn, grow the economy.
He
said, “No, I am not worried (about doctors leaving the country). We have
surplus. If you have surplus, you export. It happened some years ago here. I
was taught chemistry and biology by Indian teachers in my secondary school
days.
“There
are surplus in their country and we also have surplus in the medical profession
in our country. I can tell you this. In my area, we have excess.
“Who
said we don’t have enough doctors? We have more than enough. You can quote me.
There is nothing wrong in them travelling out. When they go abroad, they earn
money and send them back home here. Yes, we have foreign exchange earnings from
them and not just oil.”
When
asked if he was sure of what he was saying, the minister said it was good for
doctors to travel out as they would receive training from abroad and open up
centres in Nigeria.
“Will
you call that brain drain? I know a couple of them who practise abroad but set
up medical centres back home. They have CAT scan, MRI scan which even the
government cannot maintain. So, I don’t see any loss,” he said.
Nine
in every 10 Nigerian doctors are considering work opportunities outside
Nigeria. And it is projected to keep rising as doctors continue to face
systemic challenges, according to NOI polls.
what are your views , please drop your opinion on comment side .
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