Heeding The Call: Health Minister Urges New Foreign-Trained Doctors Not To ‘Japa’

Heeding The Call: Health Minister Urges New Foreign-Trained Doctors Not To ‘Japa’

In a heartfelt plea, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, implored the cohort of foreign-trained medical doctors, inducted on Thursday, to resist the allure of opportunities abroad and remain committed to serving their country…..CONTINUE READING

Addressing the newly inducted doctors, Alausa, represented by his Special Adviser, Ismaila Adiatu, emphasized the government’s dedication to creating a conducive environment for their professional growth and fulfillment. Pledging improvements in infrastructure, working conditions, and salaries, Alausa urged the doctors not to succumb to the trend of emigrating for career prospects.

“Don’t japa, stay behind and help your country. We will provide an enabling environment for you to practice and be satisfied. We will improve the infrastructure, the conditions, and the salary,” he declared passionately. “Please don’t go, even if for your parents and your relatives, stay behind so that the field is not left for quacks.”

Amidst a backdrop of Nigerians seeking greener pastures in Western nations, the minister’s plea carries significant weight. The induction ceremony, which saw 416 medical and dental graduates fulfilling the requirements of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), reflects the nation’s ongoing efforts to bolster its healthcare workforce. Notably, 70 percent of the inductees are women, signaling a positive trend in gender diversity within the medical profession.

As the nation grapples with the challenge of retaining skilled professionals, the minister’s appeal serves as a rallying cry for these new doctors to contribute their expertise to the betterment of healthcare in Nigeria, resisting the temptation to ‘japa’ for the sake of national progress.