HFN urges Nigerian govt. to pave way for diaspora doctors

ALIMOTU SHADIAT

The President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, (HFN), Dr. Pamela Ajayi, has called upon the Nigerian Government to implement policies that will create enabling environment for Nigerian doctors in diaspora to return home and help revamp the healthcare system. She made this call at the Doctors For Change (DFC) convention that held in Lagos recently.

Dr. Pamela who highlighted the current crisis facing the sector in light of the loss of skilled healthcare personnel (aka brain drain) and other challenges that the healthcare sector has suffered urged that government puts policies in place to harness the potentials and capability that these highly skilled and experienced medical personnel in the diaspora can bring to Nigeria beyond the huge amount of foreign exchange in diaspora remittances coming from health workers abroad.

“It is absolutely critical that the government signs off on the National policy incentivising the Health Industry as soon as possible thereby creating an enabling environment for the skills and talents of doctors and other healthcare personnel in the diaspora returning home and also encourage direct foreign Investments (DFI) in the sector”, she said. She lauded the organisers of the DFC convention saying it is a step in the right direction.

Speaking during an interview, the Commissioner of health of Lagos State Prof. Akin Abayomi who also attended the convention emphasized the fact that the problems in the healthcare sector can only be tackled effectively through government collaboration with private sector and expressed delight about the potentials that the DFC convention portends for the sector.

He revealed that the government will continue to work on setting up necessary policies and infrastructure that will enhance effective collaboration between government and such organised group as DFC because healthcare occupies a very important place on their agenda.

On his part, The Chairman of Board of Governors of the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos – Dr. Aderemi Desalu, while addressing the convention remarked that the diaspora doctors have the capability to provide the same high standard and quality healthcare that cost Nigeria so much yearly.

He believes that the astronomical cost of medical tourism can be reduced drastically by engaging them. He applauded the DFC convention for taking the initiative while expressing hope for positive outcomes.

Exhibiting and represented at the event were some of the diaspora hospitals with specialist healthcare services transforming healthcare in the Country today including The Duchess International Hospital, The Bridge Clinic, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre, Brain and Spine Surgery Ltd, Pneumacare, First Cardiology Consultants.

The highly cerebral event featured a wide variety of speeches and panel discussions with specialists taking audience on expository journey through their work and experiences. Among them were President, Nigerian Advocacy Physicians Advocacy Group, Dr. Iyore James; President, Guild of Medical Directors, Dr. Abiodun Kuti; President Association of Nigeria Private Medical practitioners, Dr. Kay Adesola; and President Association of Nigeria Physicians in the Americas, Dr. Chinyere Anyaogu amongst others.