The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lagos branch, has called on the Federal Government to rejig the Federal Ministry of Health and bring people with experience to address the brain drain syndrome.

NMA Chairman, Dr Saheed Kehinde, who spoke at the 2023/2024 Medical & Dental induction and Award ceremony of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, urged the government to remove taxes on call duty allowance.

He said: “Any government policy on the health sector that does not address the issue of japasyndrome in terms of remuneration, welfare and conducive environment won’t solve the problem.”

On his part, Provost College of Medicine University of Lagos, Prof. Ademola Oremosu, said: “We are not against people travelling abroad, what we are saying is that whenever they travel, they should use that opportunity to improve themselves, so that when they return, they can give high level manpower services.”

He, however, disclosed that the visitor to the university, President Bola Tinubu, is releasing funds to the ivory towers to address medical brain drain syndrome and improve capacity.

Oremosu stated that the world continues to need medical personnel and advised the students to uphold the highest standard of professionalism, as well as empathy. “Treat every patient with dignity and respect, recognising that behind every diagnosis, there is a human being in need of care and reassurance.”

In his lecture, an alumnus of the institution, Dr Omotayo Ojo, said, “The future belongs to those who dare. Be bold. Have faith, not just in your training, but in yourself. You have all it takes to compete and excel on any global stage. Do not take your capability for granted, and never let fear limit your ambition. The world is not waiting for the average; it is waiting for the exceptional.”