President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has questioned the continued migration of medical professionals from Nigeria and other West African countries, calling for practical solutions to improve working conditions and encourage them to remain in the region.
“Why are all our professionals moving overseas? What can we do to improve the conditions that will make them do more back home?” Tinubu asked on Thursday.
The President spoke at the State House in Abuja after receiving an Honorary Fellowship from the West African College of Physicians (WACP).
He urged the college’s leadership and medical professionals to help address the challenges facing healthcare systems across the sub-region, particularly the loss of skilled personnel to other parts of the world.
Tinubu noted that the migration of medical professionals puts pressure on healthcare systems and makes it more difficult to provide essential medical services.
He also highlighted the challenges posed by disease outbreaks in Africa, including Ebola, and called for measures to prevent infections and strengthen public health systems.
“We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else; you know, and with the outbreak of Ebola now we’re looking for a preventive action that will eliminate all these problems and infections. So, I wish you the best. As I pledge to behave myself, I will continue to do whatever I can do for this honourable profession,” the President said.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to comprehensive health sector reforms aimed at making healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable and efficient for Nigerians.
He also commended physicians across Africa for their contributions to medical research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions and the development of healthcare systems capable of responding to existing and emerging health challenges.
The President thanked the college’s leadership for considering him worthy of the honour.
The fellowship was conferred on Tinubu by the Council of the West African College of Physicians in recognition of his contributions and commitment to health sector reforms and medical development in Nigeria.
The College President and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, said the fellowship was awarded to presidents who had made significant contributions to healthcare delivery across the sub-region.
“This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in health care delivery and affected the health of the West African people,” he said.
Professor Musa Dankyau, Secretary-General of the WACP and spokesperson for the delegation, said the decision to honour Tinubu reflected his administration’s commitment to implementing far-reaching health sector reforms.
Dankyau said the college had awarded the fellowship only eight times in its 50-year history. He said the first recipient was former Gambian President Dawda Jawara, while former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, received it in 1991.
“At the last count, over $2.2 billion had been invested in that area for the health of the Nigerian people. We’ve also seen significant strides in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness. Just a couple of days back, the health minister had also announced that we are ready and prepared to face Ebola. And so, we were able to reassure our colleagues,” Dankyau said.
Those present at the meeting included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas.
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