Bill seeking 5-year mandatory practice in Nigeria for Nigerian-trained doctors passed 2nd reading – Newstrends
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Bill seeking 5-year mandatory practice in Nigeria for Nigerian-trained doctors passed 2nd reading

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Bill seeking 5-year mandatory practice in Nigeria for Nigerian-trained doctors passed 2nd reading

A bill seeking to mandate Nigerian-trained medical and dental practitioners to practice for a minimum of five years in the country before being granted a full licence has passed second reading at the house of representatives.

Sponsored by Ganiyu Johnson, an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Lagos, the bill seeks to amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 2004, to address the brain drain in the Nigerian health sector.

If passed into law, medical and dental practitioners trained in the country will have to practice for at least five years before they are granted a full licence.

There have been concerns in recent times over the relocation of many healthcare workers in Nigeria to foreign countries — a development that has retrograded the state of the country’s health sector.

In August 2022, the Nigerian Medical Association said a total collapse of the health sector is imminent if urgent steps are not taken to address the brain drain in the sector.

The association called for an emergency solution to the issue in the health sector, adding that with the trend of medical doctors leaving the country, there may be a need to hire doctors from foreign countries in the future.

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Leading the debate on the bill during plenary, on Thursday, Johnson said the bill aims to “make quality health services available to Nigerians.”

Johnson said it was only fair for medical doctors, who enjoyed taxpayer subsidies on their training, to give back to society.
He said by working for a minimum number of years before leaving Nigeria to practice abroad, the country would have benefited from their skills.

Contributing to the debate, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (PDP-Abia), opposed the bill on the premise that it will “tie down” doctors in Nigeria for five years before they can seek employment in a foreign country.
Mark Gbillah, a lawmaker from Benue, said the bill should be reworked because it proposes clauses that would infringe on the fundamental human rights of Nigerian-trained doctors.
Gbillah said, “A person in such a critical field as medicine — how would you give somebody a temporary licence? You would need a licence to be certified to practice.

“Do we try to restrict these people and infringe on their fundamental human rights or apportion more resources to the medical profession?”

In his remarks, speaker of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, said fundamental human right is not absolute and that freedom can be restricted in some situations.

“Let me clear the issue of fundamental human rights that have been raised. If you go to section 45(1) of the constitution, it allows you to deviate from your fundamental human right under certain conditions.

“One of these conditions concerns public health. So, if the government feels to safeguard public health, then we have not violated anybody’s human rights,” the speaker said.

The lawmakers voted in favour of the bill when it was put to a voice vote.

Bill seeking 5-year mandatory practice in Nigeria for Nigerian-trained doctors passed 2nd reading

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Updated: Reps condemn assault on Nasarawa female doctor by patient family 

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Updated: Reps condemn assault on Nasarawa female doctor by patient family 

Chairman of the Committee, Amos Magaji, spoke on behalf of the committee shortly after members carried out an oversight visit at the FMC on Wednesday.

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Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

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Reno Omokri

Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

A former presidential aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has been described as a man who cannot “win a position in history  church prayer meeting group not to talk about a government position.”

These were the remarks of a cross-section of Nigerians who criticized Omokri for describing the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as a “bushman.”

Omokro, in a statement on Wednesday, described Fubara as a classless politician who acts like a “militant in the creek.”

The social media influencer remarked while commenting on the ongoing feud between the Rivers state governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Omokri mentioned that the governor of Rivers State is a ‘tactless’ politician who is “not refined and does not project much intellectual prowess.”

The self-acclaimed table shaker raised concerns that the political tension in the state may spread across the country, having negative effects.

He therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ameliorate the feud in the state.

“If their blustering will start and end in Rivers, okay. But it will not end there. The contagious effect may have seismic consequences for our country. Rivers needs an outside force to act as Big Brother. Rivers needs presidential intervention,” Omokri stated.

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Reacting to Omokri’s statement, Ovih Williams said, “It seems you know a lot about Nigerian politics, but what’s stopping you from getting a ticket and running for public office? Oh, let’s guess, you can’t even win a position in your church prayer meeting group not to talk about a government position.”

He adds, “No one can and will trust you with power; your forked tongue will not allow anyone to entrust you with a ticket or an appointment because you will surely betray them in the end, like you did Atiku Abubakar.

“What’s funny is you now doing everything humanly possible to wow the same @officialABAT you called “thief!, ole!!, drug dealer!!!, etc.” just months ago.”

Osadolo Osazeme, in his reaction, mentioned that “Reno is taking trash. If Reno were in Fubara’s shoes, I guess he would do worse to sustain his seat. Imagine Reno selling his soul for Tinubu after campaigning for Atiku in the 2023 presidential election.”

Abdulrahman Abdulrajid berated Omokri, saying, “You never stand for truth. You were defending the action of Ododo for interfering with the EFCC by arresting Yahaya Bello. Now You are taking sides against Fubara.”

He adds, “You talking rubbish! Are you encouraging God-fatherism or what? You didn’t see those videos of how the local government chairman insulted him! Did you know how many people’s properties were demolished in River State?”

“I disagree with you. Gov. Fubara is not a Bushman,” Agba Nwagbegbe noted.

“He represents the interests of the Rivers people. And he didn’t allow the bombing of the HOA. You don’t know what happened there. Rivers State will not be controlled by foreign players; the people of Rivers decide,” he adds.

Amb Mike Damisa, wrote, “I’m disappointed at Reno Omokri; I never saw your write-up condemning Wike’s boys trying to remove a sitting governor for no crime committed just 6 months after he assumed power as Governor of Rivers State, and you never make reference to the status of the defected assembly members, but the same you brag daily on how your father saved Peter Obi during his time as Governor of Anambra State.

“The same you that wants a better Nigeria! Wike shouldn’t be in existence politically if Nigeria needs a fresh air.”

Malam Lukman stated, “Sir, you are taking sides here. After calling Fubara all sorts of names, call Wike with the names he deserves too.

“Wike isn’t perfect, and in this matter, he’s at fault too. He initiated this in the first place. Why are you scapegoating Fubara all of a sudden? No, I don’t agree with you here.”

Tamuno Nengi also commented, “I’ve never expected anything reasonable from you, and you never even try to prove me wrong. You keep jumping from pillar to post. We are waiting for you to grow the naira with caps from Katangwa and walking sticks from Panya.”

Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

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Medical activities paralysed in A’Ibom as doctors begin strike over abducted colleague

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Medical activities paralysed in A’Ibom as doctors begin strike over abducted colleague

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in Akwa Ibom has embarked on an industrial action over the abduction of one of its members two weeks ago.

The association suspended medical services across all government and private hospitals in the State due to the continued incarceration of the kidnapped member.

Recall that gunmen had on April 30, 2024, abducted a senior member of the doctors’ association, Dr John Esu at Oron local government area.

Dr Esu’s prolonged captivity has compelled the furious medics to stop work, attributing the development to the insensitivity of government and security agencies towards the safety of lives and properties of the people, including medical workers.

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NMA State Chairman, Prof. Emem Abraham said the strike became imperative to draw the attention of the government and security agencies to the plights of medical workers.

Abraham ordered all members including consultants to the state government and privately owned hospitals to withdraw their services saying the action would be reviewed after 72 hours.

“The NMA, Akwa Ibom State has resolved to withdraw services from all government and private hospitals in sympathy with our member who had been in captivity for over 15 days. The withdrawal of services takes immediate effect and shall be reviewed after 72 hours.

“The entire members of our association have been psychologically traumatised by this unfortunate situation, and are not in any good frame of mind to continue serving the public, while Dr. John Esu remains in the kidnappers’ den.”

Medical activities paralysed in A’Ibom as doctors begin strike over abducted colleague

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