PRESS RELEASE
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), has expressed worry over the Increasing Number of Medical Doctors seeking greener pastures abroad to the detriment of their country.
Chairman of the Forum, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who disclosed this when he paid the minister of health, a courtesy visit in Abuja. urged the federal government to ramp up drive for the realization of the 25 percent needed to ensure universal healthcare coverage for all Nigerians under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
According to him, although the Governors are desirous of building a resilient healthcare platform committed to routine immunization and total eradication of polio, in collaboration with global and local partners, their efforts will come to naught if the alarming trend continues unchecked.
While commending the federal government for the initiative of setting up the BHCPF, the Governor noted that it is important that the momentum of making the fund realizable is not slowed down.
He assured the apex government and the Federal Ministry Of Health of transparency and accountability in the management of the fund by states, pointing out that its disbursement by the Forum will be based on the performance of the recipient states.
According to the NGF Chairman, health remains our priority, as Governors, with a focus on building a resilient healthcare platform committed to routine immunization and total eradication of polio in the country.
In his remarks, the minister of health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, corroborated the Governor on the issue of brain drain, noting that 3000 medical doctors graduate annually in the country.
Out of this number, he added, 1000 leave the country every year.
He, however, said the federal government has been trying to create more space to employ these personnel despite demands for higher remuneration.
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