Nigeria’s health system may slide into the hands of quacks – Minister begs newly trained doctors on Japa

Tunde Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Welfare, has urged the 416 foreign-trained medical graduates who were admitted on Thursday, January 25, 2024, not to leave the country for chances overseas.

His request comes as medical doctors are fleeing Nigeria for other nations, leaving the country’s health-care system with a low patient-to-doctor ratio.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria inducted foreign-trained doctors in Abuja, and Alausa spoke at the event.

Represented by his special adviser, Ismaila Adiatu, he said:

“Don’t japa. Stay behind and help your country. We will provide an enabling environment for you to practice and be satisfied. We will improve the infrastructure, the conditions and the salary. Please don’t go; even if for your parents and your relatives, stay behind so that the field is not left for quacks.”

The guest lecturer, Prof. Christie Mato, the acting Vice Chancellor of Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, advised the new doctors about the significant responsibilities associated with the title of medical doctor.

Mato highlighted the significance of humility in the behaviour of medical professionals, urging the inductees to show respect and sensitivity towards both patients and colleagues.

In a remark, the registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Tajudeen Sanusi, stated the importance of compassion in the profession while urging the inductees to be ready to practice medicine anywhere in the country without neglecting their commitment to ongoing learning and development.