Gbajabiamila seeks end to health sector brain drain

The Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday said Nigeria must stop the brain drain in the health sector.

He expressed concern over reports that over 2,000 resident doctors had reportedly left Nigeria with about 800 leaving in the last eight months.

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According to him, it is unacceptable that an average of 100 medical doctors are leaving Nigeria for other climes monthly in search of better working conditions.

He spoke in Abuja while receiving the executive of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) led by its president, Emeka Orji, who paid him a courtesy visit.

The speaker said issues of emoluments and salaries identified as factors responsible for doctors’ mass exodus, should be addressed and the environment made more conducive for them. 

Gbajabiamila, however, asked the association not to embark on strike, but be a bit more patient, and stay in the country.

He said the House would look into the push for an increase in the health sector’s budgetary allocation to meet the 2001 Abuja Declaration of 15 per cent of the annual budget allocation.

Earlier, Orji had urged the speaker to intervene in the brain drain that had affected medical practice due to poor working conditions.