By Cheta Enyoghasi
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, has announced the approval of a new National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to help bring back Nigerian healthcare professionals, including doctors working abroad.
The policy aims to address the exodus of Nigerian doctors from the country, which was approved by President Bola Tinubu during a Federal Executive Council meeting.
Pate in a post on his official handle on X announced that “the policy is to manage and reverse health workers migration and to also reintegrate talented healthcare professionals back into the country’s health system by establishing streamlined registration processes and providing incentives.
“It also calls for reciprocal agreements with other nations to ensure the exchange benefits Nigeria.
“The policy also includes provisions for routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours, particularly for younger doctors. With the aim to create a supportive work environment, reduce burnout, and enhance job satisfaction.
“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 utilized to meet the healthcare needs of all Nigerians.”
“By establishing streamlined registration processes and providing attractive incentives, the policy not only encourages the return of our talented professionals but actively reintegrates them into our health system. This approach leverages the expertise of our diasporas to bridge gaps within the health sector.
“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 stated.
Minister Pate further emphasized the attractiveness of Nigerian doctors and nurses globally, with 67% working in the UK.
He emphasized the importance of health diplomacy and ethical recruitment practices in preventing health workers from leaving the National Health Service.
