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Many Nigerian doctors abroad considering returning home – Health Minister

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

Professor Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare

Many Nigerian doctors abroad considering returning home – Health Minister

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, says successful Nigerian doctors, nurses and health workers overseas are considering returning to Nigeria if the enabling infrastructure is provided.

“Some that have been successful are also begin to think of how to come back if the enabling infrastructure is provided,” Pate said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The health minister said there are many health workers who chose to remain in Nigeria to serve the country despite the opportunity to move abroad where there are guaranteed of better pay and welfare package.

“There are also thousands who are here that despite the opportunity to travel abroad, they are not travelling abroad and we do appreciate them,” he stated, adding that some Nigerians health professionals simply “go to get trainings abroad with the expectation that they will come back better skilled and contribute at home”.

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Pate, who spoke on the migration phenomenon known as Japa, which has seen the exodus of thousands of young health workers in the last few years, said the government is doing all it can to make the industry conducive for health professionals to stay at home and practice.

Pate said the ‘Japa’ phenomenon is not limited to Nigeria as it is a global phenomenon.

“The lifeblood of the health sector is the human resource. That is the most important ingredient, not the hospitals, though they are very important complements,” he said. “There are about 300,000 health professionals working in Nigeria today, of all cadres; doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory scientists.”

Pate said though “there are about 55,000 licensed medical doctors in Nigeria”, they are no sufficient and not well-distributed across the country. “Can you believe that most of the doctors and high professionals are in Lagos, Abuja and a few other urban centres? So, there is huge distribution challenge.”

The health minister said about 15,000 doctors have been lost in the last five years but the government is committed to expanding its training programme to fill up the vacuum.

He also said his ministry is working with the National Salaries Incomes And Wages Commission Wages to raise the pay of health workers in the country.

Many Nigerian doctors abroad considering returning home – Health Minister

News

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

Published

2 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Nigeria has stirred up disquiet at the British High Commission in Abuja, as their presence went unacknowledged by relevant officials.

Despite the couple’s arrival in the populous nation and various welcoming activities, including meetings with military authorities and dignitaries, the British High Commission’s social media handles remained silent on their visit.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, clarified in an interview that the visit was in a private capacity and not arranged or facilitated by the commission. Hence, they were not representing the UK government’s work during their time in Nigeria.

During their visit to Kaduna, Prince Harry emphasized the importance of sports in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers, focusing on meeting with Nigerian armed forces veterans.

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The couple’s decision to step down as senior royals in 2020, amidst frustrations over media intrusion and restrictions on developing their brand, “SussexRoyal,” was highlighted. They retained their titles but relinquished their royal highness status and Harry gave up his military titles.

Allegations surfaced regarding Prince Harry’s absence from a flight that carried other royal family members to visit Queen Elizabeth II before her passing. Reports suggest an argument ensued due to Harry’s insistence on bringing Meghan Markle to Balmoral, causing him to miss the flight.

The visit to Nigeria served as an opportunity for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to engage with wounded veterans and promote rehabilitation efforts, despite the absence of official acknowledgment from the British High Commission.

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

News

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

Published

2 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

On returning to Okuama-Ewu community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, following the withdrawal of the Nigerian Army, many residents, particularly mothers, collapsed upon seeing their homes in ruins.

A report by Vanguard which visited the community revealed a distressing scene as some residents experienced a sudden rise in blood pressure upon witnessing the extent of the destruction, requiring hours to recover. Amidst the chaos, returning villagers expressed bewilderment and sorrow over their situation.

Sixty-five-year-old Maria Adam, who fled Okuama-Ewu in March only to return in May, described her shock, saying, “On arrival when I saw the level of destruction, I fainted and was revived because I suffered hypertension.” She recounted the loss of her belongings and appealed for government assistance, expressing uncertainty about rebuilding their lives.

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Similarly, Vero Joseph, a 68-year-old farmer, shared her dismay upon seeing the devastation, stating, “On arrival at the community and seeing the devastation, I fell terribly sick; nothing is left here.” She detailed the destruction of homes and essential items, emphasizing the challenges of starting anew but expressed a preference for returning to her hometown over seeking refuge elsewhere.

Fifty-two-year-old farmer Florence Ekiroro collapsed at the jetty overwhelmed by the realization of their homelessness, saying, “I collapsed at the jetty because we have become homeless.” She described the loss of essential belongings and rejected the idea of relocating to an IDP camp, citing the unfavorable conditions compared to their community.

Victoria Paul, a 58-year-old trader and farmer, recounted her ordeal, stating, “On arrival and seeing the gravity of damages, I fainted but was revived.” She lamented the destruction of her provisions business and personal belongings, despite finding solace in her community and beginning fishing to sustain her family.

Grace Okoye, a 55-year-old trader and farmer, expressed deep distress over the loss of her possessions, including her children’s academic documents and savings. She said, “On return, I feel very distressed and because everything I have had been destroyed. What pained me most were my children’s results and my building. I lost my boxes of wrappers and N200,000 cash in the house.

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

News

Fuel scarcity will be over soon, says Senate leader

Published

2 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele

Fuel scarcity will be over soon, says Senate leader

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele provided reassurance to Nigerians that the ongoing fuel crisis will soon be resolved, expressing this commitment during an interview at the Oil Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.

Bamidele emphasized the legislature’s dedication to addressing fuel scarcity and long queues at filling stations, highlighting plans to engage additional private-sector entities in constructing new refineries.

“The Senate is working to ensure that more private-sector players are licensed to own and operate refineries. This is to support other smaller ones that are springing up in several parts of the country.

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“In addition to licensing new refinery operators, the Federal Government and Senate are working to ensure that the existing refineries are turned around with repairs and replacement of parts carried out where necessary,” he said.

Bamidele said the Senate had received an assurance from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited that two of its refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt would come on stream before the end of the year.

He also noted that the commitment to licensing new refinery operators and revitalising existing refineries remained vital for increasing domestic oil production.

Opeyemi maintained that the focus was to ensure that Nigeria meets its OPEC production quota.