The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, announced a significant increase in the annual enrolment quota for medical, nursing, and other health professional schools from 28,000 to 64,000.
This announcement was made during a sectoral ministerial press briefing in Abuja to commemorate President Bola Tinubu's first year in office.
The move to boost enrolment aims to address the longstanding issue of health workers leaving the country to practice abroad. Factors such as inadequate equipment, escalating insecurity, poor working conditions, and salary structures have been identified as key drivers of this emigration trend.
Data from the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria revealed that 1,056 consultants sought opportunities abroad between 2019 and 2023. Similarly, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors reported that over 900 members migrated to Europe between January and September 2023.
Prof Pate emphasized the importance of increasing the healthcare workforce to meet the country's needs.
He highlighted the need for collaboration between the education sector and states to enhance infrastructure, training, and resources in medical and health professional schools.
In efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services, Prof Pate noted that 1,400 centres now offer skilled birth attendants, with over 2,400 health workers being recruited to provide essential services in rural areas.
The Federal Government has disbursed N25 billion from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to support these initiatives, with stringent guidelines to ensure effective resource allocation.
Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the government's strategies to increase admissions to medical and dental institutions.
