FG moves against brain drain in health sector

The Federal Government says it wants to increase investment in the health sector to check loss of competent manpower to other countries.President Muhammadu Buhari dropped the hint ‎when he received the executive members of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at State House, Abuja.

A statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the President appreciated the concerns of the association, adding: “We will do our best to work on your recommendations and increase investment in the health sector.”

MDCAN’s president, Professor Ngim Ngim, said the association consists of trainers, researchers, leaders and major stakeholders in health care poised for the well-being of the sector.

He sought for action on the inter-professional rivalry in healthcare sector nationwide, noting that a panel, headed by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, was convened in 2014 to address burning issues, “but no white paper has been issued till date.”

Among other requests brought before the President were better health financing, reconstitution of the governing board of the association as well as the need for a single term of five years for chief medical directors (CMDs) and medical directors (MDs) of tertiary hospitals and establishment of medical universities in each of the nation’s six geo-political zones. The association also expressed optimism that the constitution of a minimum wage committee by government would curb brain drain and engender better remuneration.