By Asma’u Ahmad
President Muhammadu Buhari said the Federal Government will increase investment in the health sector to halt the loss of well trained professionals to other countries.
The president made the pledge when he received the executive members of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), at State House, Abuja, on Thursday.
He appreciated the concern expressed by the association on the state of the health sector in the country, and promised to implement the association’s recommendations to boost healthcare system in the country.
“We will do our best to work on your recommendations, and increase investment in the health sector,” President Buhari added.
In his remarks, the President of MDCAN, Prof. Ngim E. Ngim said the association comprised of trainers, researchers, leaders and major stakeholders in health care, who are concerned about the well-being of the sector. He appealed for action on the resolution of inter-professional rivalry in health care in the country.
Professor Ngim noted that a panel had been convened in 2014 to look into the issues, headed by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, “but no White Paper has been issued till date.”
The MDCAN president also stressed the need for better health financing and reconstitution of the Governing Board of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
He also advocated for a single term of five years for Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of tertiary hospitals, and the establishment of medical universities in each geo-political zone of the country.
Ngim expressed the hope that the constitution of a Minimum Wage Committee by the Federal Government would help curb brain drain, if medical professionals were better remunerated.
