President Bola Tinubu has called on medical experts across West Africa to develop sustainable solutions to medical brain drain and strengthen healthcare systems across the sub-region.
Tinubu made the call on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, shortly after receiving a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) in recognition of his administration’s commitment to healthcare reforms.
The President urged the college’s leadership to use its forthcoming conference to develop practical strategies to address the migration of skilled medical professionals, which continues to put pressure on healthcare delivery across West Africa.
“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,” Tinubu said.
“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,” he added.
The President noted that the migration of skilled medical professionals to other parts of the world had increased the workload on available personnel and limited access to essential healthcare services.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to comprehensive health sector reforms aimed at making healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable and efficient for Nigerians.
Tinubu also acknowledged the contributions of medical professionals to medical research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions and the development of resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to emerging health challenges.
He thanked the college’s leadership for considering him worthy of the fellowship.
The President of the WACP and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, said the college conferred the honour on Tinubu in recognition of his administration’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
“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.
The Secretary-General of the college, Professor Musa Dankyau, said the decision to honour Tinubu reflected his administration’s commitment to implementing far-reaching reforms in the health sector.
Dankyau disclosed that the college had awarded the fellowship only eight times in its 50-year history. He said former Gambian President Dawda Jawara was the first recipient, while former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, received the honour in 1991.
Highlighting investments in Nigeria’s health sector, Dankyau said more than $2.2 billion had been invested in healthcare-related initiatives for Nigerians.
“At the last count, over $2.2 billion had been invested in that area for the health of the Nigerian people. We’ve also seen significant strides in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government had reassured medical professionals across the sub-region of Nigeria’s preparedness to respond to the Ebola threat.
“Just a couple of days back, the health minister had also announced that we are ready and prepared to face Ebola. And so, we were able to reassure our colleagues,” Dankyau said.
Those present at the event included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas.