Juliet Jacob Ochenje
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian health workers who have migrated overseas to come back home, adding that charity begins at home.
Tinubu made the call at the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative at the State House on Tuesday, in Abuja.
He also announced plans for a comprehensive revamp of physical infrastructure, equipment and the re-training of frontline health workers starting in 2024.
This is coming after the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Chairman in Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Sulaiman, said over 789 nurses and 162 doctors had relocated outside Nigeria from Kano State alone.
“We encourage those Nigerian health professionals in the Diaspora, just like Professor Ali Pate and Tunji Alausa have done, to sacrifice their time to come back home and serve their people. Consider your contributions here at home, as we say, ‘Charity begins at home’.
“For the developed countries who benefited from amazing talents of Nigerian health workers, we’ll really encourage them to consider how to support the expansion of training facilities in Nigeria to replace those that they have recruited from here. You should also look at the short and long term opportunities that we offer.
Yes, we have a vibrant, well educated society, but we need Nigeria to rise on one side with climate change and drop the health system to decay. We will rise.”
Tinubu, while speaking in his administration’s plan to revamp the health sector, stated, “Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Care Coverage is reflected in the unwavering dedication of my administration to uphold this right for every individual, young or old, in rural or urban areas.
“Delivering improved quality health is an underpinning factor in my promise of Renewed Hope to Nigerians. That hope is ignited here today with the support of all multilateral partners and agencies health is back on the front burner.
“This occasion marks an opportunity for collective reflection and action as we recommit ourselves to the noble pursuit of health for all.”
