Federal Government has launched the Health Professionals in Diaspora Plus Engagement Programme, a new initiative designed to counteract the significant brain drain in the country’s healthcare sector.
The program seeks to harness the expertise of Nigerian medical professionals living abroad, fostering collaboration with their counterparts back home to improve healthcare delivery across the nation.
Speaking at the Diaspora Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained the importance of this initiative.
He emphasized that the ongoing migration of Nigerian healthcare workers has hindered the country’s goal of achieving universal health coverage.
Alausa noted that the program is a critical component of the government’s four-point Strategic Health Agenda, which focuses on reforming healthcare governance, strengthening the health value chain, enhancing health security, and building a quality healthcare system.
“The achievement of universal health coverage has been significantly hampered by the persistent emigration of our healthcare workforce. However, this initiative offers a chance to reverse the trend of brain loss,” he said, highlighting the need for Nigerian professionals abroad to reconnect with local healthcare systems.
He also encouraged collaboration from private sector stakeholders and international partners, urging them to support investments in clinical research, biomedical technology, and telemedicine.
This would, in turn, bridge the gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, especially in underserved areas.
Dr. Ibrahim Wada, founder of NISA Premier Medical Group, added another perspective by emphasizing the value of public-private partnerships in revitalizing healthcare services in Nigeria.
He pointed out that it’s not just about having modern medical equipment but also about ensuring proper management that benefits both healthcare providers and patients.
“Effective management creates a seamless experience for both healthcare professionals and patients, not just modern equipment,” Wada stressed.
He also called for a focus on grassroots healthcare development, encouraging returning diaspora professionals to contribute to capacity building at the community level.
Pamela Ajayi, president of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria presented a forward-thinking vision for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, suggesting that the country could emerge as a medical hub for West Africa.
To achieve this, she advocated for greater investment in medical infrastructure, including the establishment of healthcare banks that could finance sectoral development.
Ajayi also underscored the transformative potential of digital health technologies, such as artificial intelligence to expand access to healthcare in rural and remote areas.
She concluded by emphasizing the critical role that Nigerian professionals in the diaspora can play in advancing healthcare innovation and research in the country.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Bala Audu, focused on the importance of international collaboration in building a resilient healthcare system in Nigeria.
He explained that partnerships with countries like the UK could offer opportunities for knowledge exchange and professional development, which are essential for retaining skilled workers and improving healthcare outcomes.
By fostering global collaboration, Audu believes Nigeria’s healthcare systems can benefit from the shared expertise of professionals both at home and abroad.
These leaders’ insights reflect a collective effort to reverse Nigeria’s brain drain and make significant strides toward a more robust and resilient healthcare system.
The programme aims to channel the skills of the Nigerian diaspora into initiatives that will improve health outcomes and move the country closer to achieving universal health coverage.
