President Bola Tinubu has urged medical professionals across West Africa to develop practical and sustainable solutions to the persistent migration of skilled healthcare workers, warning that the trend continues to put pressure on healthcare systems across the sub-region.
Bayo Onanuga, media aid to the President said, Tinubu made the call on Thursday after being conferred with a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) at the State House, Abuja.
The President urged the college’s leadership to use its forthcoming conference to develop practical measures to address medical brain drain, which he said limits access to essential healthcare services and increases the workload of available medical personnel.
“We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else; you know, and with the outbreak of Ebola now we’re looking for a preventive action that will eliminate all these problems and infections. So, I wish you the best. As I pledge to behave myself, I will continue to do whatever I can do for this honourable profession,” Tinubu said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to comprehensive health sector reforms aimed at making healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable and efficient for Nigerians.
The President also commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for his role in driving the country’s health sector reforms.
“We as a government are doing everything possible. Please help me congratulate the reform-oriented physician, Ali Pate, who has been doing a very good job,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged the contributions of medical professionals to humanity through research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions and efforts to build resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to existing and emerging health challenges.
He also thanked the college’s leadership for considering him worthy of the fellowship.
The WACP conferred the honour on the President in recognition of his contributions and commitment to strengthening healthcare reforms and medical development in Nigeria.
The College President and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, said the fellowship was reserved for presidents who had demonstrated outstanding performance in healthcare delivery across the West African sub-region.
“This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in health care delivery and affected the health of the West African people,” Ka said.
