Eniola Yekini
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged medical professionals to find solutions to medical brain drain across the West African sub-region.
The President said migration of skilled professionals continues to put pressure on healthcare systems in the sub-region, limiting access to essential medical services and increasing workload on available personnel.
He spoke on Thursday shortly after taking the oath as a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, WACP, at the State House, Abuja.
Tinubu urged the College leadership to use its forthcoming conference to develop practical and sustainable solutions to the challenge.
“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.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to comprehensive health sector reforms to make healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable and efficient.
The President thanked the College leadership for the honour.
The President was conferred with the Fellowship in recognition of his contributions and commitment to strengthening health sector reforms and medical development in Nigeria.
According to the College President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, the award is given to best-performing presidents in 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,” Ka said.
Professor Musa Dankyau, Secretary-General of WACP, said the decision to confer the fellowship on President Tinubu reflected his administration’s commitment to implementing far-reaching health sector reforms.
Dankyau said the College has awarded the fellowship only eight times in its fifty-year history, first to former President Dawda Jawara of The Gambia, and that only General Ibrahim Babangida received it as former Head of State of Nigeria 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,” Dankyau said.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas.