President Bola Tinubu has permitted the Nationwide Coverage on Well being Workforce Migration to deal with the challenges going through Nigeria’s well being human assets.
The Coordinating Minister of Well being and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on his X deal with on Monday.
Pate stated the coverage is greater than only a response to the continuing exodus of healthcare professionals however a complete technique to handle, harness, and reverse healthworker migration.
Pate stated, “This afternoon, HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, in-Council, permitted a landmark coverage set to remodel healthcare human useful resource administration in Nigeria.
“The Nationwide Coverage on Well being Workforce Migration addresses the vital challenges going through Nigeria’s well being human assets. Because the AU Champion for Human Assets for Well being and Group Well being Supply Partnership, Mr President’s dedication to a resilient and strong healthcare system is powerfully mirrored on this forward-looking coverage.
“This coverage is greater than only a response to the continuing exodus of healthcare professionals; it’s a complete technique to handle, harness, and reverse well being employee migration. It envisions a thriving workforce that’s well-supported, adequately rewarded, and optimally utilised to satisfy the healthcare wants of all Nigerians.”
Many Nigerian healthcare staff go away the nation for greener pastures, leaving their colleagues to take care of extra workload and prolonged name hours.
The push elements, in keeping with them, are insufficient gear, worsening insecurity, poor working situations, and poor wage construction
The minister famous that central to this imaginative and prescient is the Nigeria Human Well being Useful resource Programme, which units a framework for normal opinions of working situations, guaranteeing that well being staff, particularly in rural and underserved areas, obtain the popularity and rewards they deserve.
“By fostering an surroundings conducive to skilled development and stability, the coverage goals to retain high expertise inside Nigeria.
“In an more and more digital world, integrating superior well being applied sciences is crucial. The coverage’s deal with digital well being infrastructure—together with Digital Medical Information, telehealth, and a complete Well being Workforce Registry—marks a major step in direction of a extra environment friendly, data-driven well being system. These improvements will streamline healthcare supply and improve the equitable distribution of well being staff, guaranteeing entry to high quality look after all Nigerians.
“Capability constructing is on the coronary heart of this coverage. It recognises the significance of steady skilled improvement, with strategic partnerships and alternatives for worldwide coaching to equip our healthcare professionals with cutting-edge expertise. This funding in human capital underscores our dedication to retaining and empowering our healthcare workforce,” he acknowledged.
He added that the coverage addresses the return and reintegration of Nigerian well being professionals from the Diaspora.
He stated by establishing streamlined registration processes and offering engaging incentives, the coverage not solely encourages the return of gifted professionals however actively reintegrates them into the well being system.
“This strategy leverages the experience of our diaspora to bridge gaps throughout the well being sector. Additionally, the coverage champions reciprocal agreements with different nations to make sure that the change of well being staff advantages Nigeria. These bilateral and multilateral agreements are designed to guard nationwide pursuits whereas respecting the rights and aspirations of our healthcare professionals. We name on recipient nations to implement a 1:1 match—coaching one employee to interchange each publicly skilled Nigerian employee they obtain.
“Recognising the significance of work-life steadiness, the coverage consists of provisions for routine well being checks, psychological well-being help, and affordable working hours, particularly for youthful docs. These measures intention to create a supportive work surroundings, lowering burnout and enhancing job satisfaction.
“The governance of this coverage will probably be overseen by the Nationwide Human Assets for Well being Programme inside @Fmohnigeria, in collaboration with state governments. This ensures accountable implementation and alignment with broader sector-wide well being targets.
“With this decisive motion, the Nationwide Coverage on Well being Workforce Migration is ready to safe the way forward for Nigeria’s healthcare system. Below Mr President’s management, this coverage will additional catalyse the transformation of our well being sector, guaranteeing entry to high quality healthcare for all Nigerians. As we embark on this journey, all stakeholders are invited to contribute to constructing a healthcare system that displays our nation’s potential and promise,” Pate famous.