The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this announcement during the induction ceremony of foreign-trained medical and dental graduates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa noted that one of the primary goals of this initiative is to discourage the emigration of licensed doctors and other healthcare professionals to more developed nations. To achieve this, the government will take steps in improving the healthcare sector, making it a more attractive option for local professionals.
Highlighting the current disparity between the demand for healthcare professionals and the supply, Dr. Alausa pointed out that Nigeria produces just over 3,000 doctors annually, a number deemed insufficient to meet the nation's healthcare needs.
Therefore, the plan is to double the rate of health worker production, including doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, community health extension workers, radiographers, and others, although this expansion will be implemented in phases. Globally, there is a severe shortage of healthcare manpower, estimated at 18 million people, further underscoring the urgency of increasing production.
Dr. Alausa affirmed that his ministry remains committed to advocating for increased funding in the healthcare sector. Furthermore, efforts will be made to expand the value chain, attracting international grants and funding to bolster the nation's healthcare infrastructure.
