Connect with us

Nation

Nigeria Introduces Policy To Revitalise Healthcare System

Published

on

Mr Pate said the policy would create an environment that encourages professional development and stability, even as it seeks to retain the best talent within Nigeria.
To transform the nation’s healthcare landscape, the Nigerian government has introduced a policy targeted at addressing the workforce challenges facing the health sector.
The new initiative, which is tagged: “National Policy on Health Workforce Migration,” is aimed at tackling “the critical challenges facing the country’s health human resources, aiming to manage, harness, and reverse the migration of healthcare professionals.”
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on his X handle last Monday evening, noting that the policy aims to stem the exodus of healthcare professionals.
He wrote on his X handle: “This policy is more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals; it’s a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration. It envisions a thriving workforce that is well-supported, adequately rewarded, and optimally utilised to meet the healthcare needs of all Nigerians”.
The minister also stated an important aspect of the vision lies with the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme, which he said establishes a framework for regular reviews of working conditions, ensuring that health workers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, receive the recognition and rewards they merit.
He said it would create an environment that encourages professional development and stability, adding that the policy seeks to retain the best talent within Nigeria.
According to the minister, as the world becomes increasingly digital, incorporating cutting-edge health technologies for healthcare management is crucial. The policy’s emphasis on digital health infrastructure, including Electronic Medical Records (EMR), telehealth, and a comprehensive Health Workforce Registry, represents a major milestone towards a more efficient and data-driven healthcare system.
Mr Pate said these technological advancements will simplify healthcare delivery, promote fair distribution of health workers, and guarantee access to quality care for all Nigerians.
“Capacity building is a cornerstone of the policy, focusing on continuous professional development through strategic partnerships and international training to equip healthcare professionals with cutting-edge skills, demonstrating a commitment to retaining and empowering the workforce,” the minister noted.
Furthermore, he said the policy will facilitate the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals from abroad by simplifying registration processes and offering attractive incentives, leveraging their expertise to fill gaps in the health sector and strengthening the healthcare system.
He said: “Also, the policy champions reciprocal agreements with other nations to ensure that the exchange of health workers benefits Nigeria. These bilateral and multilateral agreements are designed to protect national interests while respecting the rights and aspirations of our healthcare professionals. We call on recipient countries to implement a 1:1 match—training one worker to replace every publicly trained Nigerian worker they receive.
“Recognising the importance of work-life balance, the policy includes provisions for routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours, especially for younger doctors. These measures aim to create a supportive work environment, reducing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction.”
The minister said the National Human Resources for Health Programme will oversee the policy’s implementation in collaboration with state governments, ensuring responsible execution and alignment with broader health objectives noting that the decisive action will secure the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system, catalysing transformation and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians under President’s leadership.
He called on stakeholders to help build a world-class healthcare system for Nigeria.
“As we embark on this journey, all stakeholders are invited to contribute to building a healthcare system that reflects our nation’s potential and promise,” he said.
Mr Pate, a professor, recently revealed that the country faces a severe shortage of doctors, with only 55,000 licensed doctors serving a population of over 200 million.
The minister, during an interview with Channels TV, stated that in the last five years, 16,000 doctors have left the country, and 17,000 have been transferred.
He expressed concern about the mass exodus of healthcare professionals and other skilled workers seeking better opportunities abroad, leaving Nigeria with a bare minimum of professionals to manage the healthcare system.
He added that the country has approximately 300,000 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other medical staff.
Continue Reading

Nation

Council Boss Impeached 48 Hours To LG Polls In Katsina

Published

on

The Chairman of Malumfashi Local Government Council of Katsina State, Maharazu Dayi, has been impeached.
Maharazu Dayi was impeached yesterday by 11 out of 12 councillors, barely two days before the local government elections in the State.
The councillors reportedly took action following allegations of misconduct and poor governance against the chairman after a dispute over the distribution of the council’s Paris Club funds.
The development has sent shock waves across the local government area, especially as the impeached chairman is among those who failed to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest in the forthcoming election.

Continue Reading

Nation

Association Tasks Fubara On Rumuwoji Market Phase Three

Published

on

The Rumuwoji Ultra Modern Market Traders Association,  Mile 1, Port Harcourt, has urged the state government to utilise the available spaces within the area to build phase 3 of the Rumuwoji Market in order to solve the ever increasing needs of traders.
The association, which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt, also described as a welcomed development the decision by the state Governor to open the phase 2 of the market for business.
According to the association, “We consider it as an answer to the various cries of the people, because he is a man on a mission who is out to place the interest of Rivers people first. It is a dream come true for the first time for the market to be dully allocated and open for business”
Chairman of the association, Hon Godspower Wobo, who briefed the press shortly after a meeting of the association in Port Harcourt, also urged the public to disregard the activities of some persons whose stock in trade is to cause disaffection in the market.
He said the attention of the association was drawn to the activities of some strange fellows who went about misforming the people about situation in the market, stressing that apart from his association, no other group exists in the market except subdiary unions.
Wobo  also tasked the reallocation committee to tread with caution so as to avoid being deceived by any group.
According to him, time has come for the state government to engage in robust discussion with aggrieved shop owners who went to court and those who paid monies to the state coffers and issued with allocation certificates for the overall interest of peace.
He also advised the public to deal directly with his association, stressing that the meeting was to review activities for the last year as well as unveil their new Constitution.
Also speaking, former Chairman of the association, Deacon Kenneth Eze urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to open the phase 2 of the market, as it is long overdue.
Eze who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the association also urged the public to do business with only the Rumuwoji Ultra Modern Market Traders Association as it is the only union recognised by the traders.

Continue Reading

Nation

AfDB President Denies 2027 Presidential Ambition

Published

on

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, has debunked reports linking him with the race for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027.
Reacting to the report on his X handle yesterday, following a recent interview with Arise TV, the AfDB boss said his quotes were misrepresented and misinterpreted in several Nigerian media reports.
However, the AfDB president denied the media reports, stating that he never said that he wanted to contest for President.
“A segment of my recent interview on @Arise TV has been both misinterpreted and misrepresented in several Nigerian media outlets. What I said was, “I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country.”
“A listen to the substantive and robust interview, which is available online, will show this to be the case. For clarity and for the record, I did not say that I am running for the office of President of Nigeria,” Adesina said.

Continue Reading

Trending