Grapevine

Nigeria@64: Japa, obsolete facilities hampering health sector growth, says NMA

The association called for urgent practicable interventions to retain health workers by implementing better remuneration, increased security and improved access to modern diagnostic and treatment equipment.

In the last five years, about 16,000 doctors left the country’s shores, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate stated in March.

He noted that of the 300,000 health professionals in the country, 90,000 of them were registered doctors but of this number, only 55,000 licensed doctors remained in the country.

The don also said that over 75 per cent of Nigerian-trained health workers have left the country for opportunities abroad.

Pate described the health sector as “barely managing,” stating that the government was beginning to take steps to “expand training and work environment.”