Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Qosim Suleiman
Published on 2024-02-28 20:26:27
The Nigerian government is actively addressing the challenges posed by the exodus of healthcare workers abroad. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, a professor, disclosed that the government has recruited over 2,000 health workers in the last six months to address the brain drain affecting the sector. Additionally, 1,400 health facilities now have skilled birth attendants to assist in deliveries.
Brain drain has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria, with healthcare professionals leaving the country due to low remuneration and unfavorable working conditions. This trend has worsened the doctor-patient ratio and resulted in a shortage of skilled health workers, impacting the quality of healthcare services for citizens. Statistics indicate that over 5,000 Nigerian medical doctors migrated to the UK between 2015 and 2022.
In response to the concerns raised by the Nigerian Medical Association and other stakeholders, the government approved recruitment requests from health institutions in the country to expedite the hiring process and reduce delays. Efforts are being made to strengthen primary healthcare facilities nationwide.
Through sustained investments and strategic partnerships, the federal government is revitalizing primary healthcare facilities in rural and underserved areas to expand access to essential healthcare services. This initiative has yielded positive results, increasing the number of women attending AnteNatal Care (ANC) and improving pregnancy outcomes to reduce maternal and child mortality rates.
To address financial barriers that deter individuals from seeking medical care, the government has enrolled an additional 750,000 Nigerians in the health insurance scheme since the beginning of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This move aims to enhance the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services for all citizens.
The government is committed to prioritizing healthcare provision and ensuring the sustainability of health insurance schemes to support a healthy population. With increased recruitment of healthcare workers, revitalization of primary healthcare facilities, and expansion of health insurance coverage, the Nigerian government is taking proactive steps to mitigate the challenges posed by the exodus of healthcare workers and improve healthcare service delivery in the country.
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