Nigerians in diaspora contribute $5.16b to economy
The President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Dr. Pamela Ajayi, has said Nigerians in the Diaspora, including healthcare workers training and practising abroad, have contributed $5.16b to Nigeria’s economy in the first quarter of this year.
The president, who disclosed this at the Doctors for Change (DFC) convention held in Lagos, described the group as a platform that would ensure that, beyond the huge remittances, the talents, intellectual assets and capabilities of the doctors in the Diaspora could be harnessed to better the lot of the sector in Nigeria.
Â
She assured that HFN would engage stakeholders to ensure that doctors in the Diaspora have access to strategic and collaborative opportunities with the government, by putting in place favorable policies to provide support for returning Diaspora doctors.
Also, the President of the Guild of Medical Directors, Dr. Abiodun Kuti, decried the level of brain-drain in the country, calling it “alarming.”
He stressed the need for policies that could encourage doctors in the Diaspora to return to the country and contribute their quota to the.
Â
The DFC Convener, Dr. Babaseyi Oyesola, earlier said that group was borne out of the need to gather like minds from the Diaspora and within, to unite and forge a common front in a bid to restore the ailing healthcare sector.
Olusola commended the DFC members, who had already set up specialist care hospitals such as cardiology, cancer centres, In vitro Fertilisation (IVF), and medical laboratories, among others in the country. He said that the development would reduce the volume of money spent on medical tourism by Nigerians. Â Â Â
 Â
The convention was inaugurated by the Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi, with a special message delivered by Abike Dabiri of the Diaspora Commission.
Other experts at the convention included the President of the Nigerian Advocacy Physicians Advocacy Group, Dr. Iyore James; the President, Association of Nigeria Private Medical practitioners, Dr. Kay Adesola; and the President Association of Nigeria Physicians in the Americas, Dr. Chinyere Anyaogu, among others.
Related
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.