‘Collaborate with govts to address brain drain in health sector’

The medical professionals have been urged to collaborate with the governments in formulating innovative healthcare policies that will improve medical practices to address the brain drain in the country.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, made the call in Ibadan while delivering the 48th yearly scientific conference and general meeting of the Nigerian Society for Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NSHBT), themed: “Hematology Practice in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.”

Abayomi advocated bringing medicine back to the mainstream of the economy through proper insurance tariffs, which would activate brain gain and enhance medical tourism.

While suggesting that mass production of medical professionals would address the shortage of manpower, Abayomi charged hematologists to replicate themselves by making their specialty lucrative and lobbying the government to initiate policies in their favour.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who was represented by Olugbemide Abimbola, said there was no hematologist in the state hospital’s management board.

NSHBT President, Prof Omolade Awodu, called on medical professionals to upgrade their knowledge in medical care and leverage the potential of Artificial intelligence for seamless patients’ care.

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof Fola Esan, who identified systemic instability in the country as a huge factor affecting the health sector encouraged medical professionals to focus on making the society healthy.

The Chief Medical Director, University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Prof Jesse Otegbayo, who was represented by the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Prof Sola Olawoye, said haematologists remain committed to advancing the field of hematology and improving patient outcomes. “Let us work together to shape the future of hematology practice in Nigeria and improve the lives of our patients,” he said.