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Nigeria Must Recruit 10,605 Doctors Annually To Meet Population Needs -Expert
A lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Dr. Solomon Avidime, says a minimum of 10,065 doctors must be recruited annually for Nigeria to meet up with the recommended one doctor to 600 patients.
Avidime, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, also said that the country has a deficit of 260,000 doctors, stressing that only about 40,000 doctors currently practice in Nigeria.
He made this known in a keynote address entitled “Brain Drain and the Healthcare System in Nigeria: Challenges and Way Forward”.
The expert spoke at the 2019 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kaduna State.
He said that Nigeria, with an estimated 200 million, the current doctor to a population ration was one doctor to 5,000 as against one to 600 recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Avidime, a former Chairman, NMA Kaduna State, added that the scarcity of human resources in the health sector was disturbing, adding that even the available hands are poorly distributed and skewed in favour of urban centres.
He said primary healthcare centres were the worst hit, stressing that the countries evidently far from achieving a reasonable ratio of healthcare provider per 1000 population.
According to him, the ratio of a doctor to population is worsening following the migration of healthcare workers abroad for the better working environment in terms of infrastructure and welfare.
“Available report shows that close to 90 per cent of all migrating physicians are moving to Australia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdome (UK) and the USA, and in recent time, Saudi Arabia, Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire.
“In 2014, a net weekly migration rate of two physicians per week was recorded, increasing to net weekly migration of 17 physicians per week in 2018, representing a whopping 600 per cent.
“As of 2018, about 5,861 Nigerian physicians are in the United Kingdom alone and with the deficit of over 260,000 physicians, many more doctors are still migrating.
“This should be a matter of national concern,” said the don.
Avidime attributed the high wave of migration of Nigerian doctors to foreign countries, which he described as ‘brain drain’, to poor working condition, employment discrimination and absence of research facilities, among others.
He also said that the level of health infrastructural development in the country was slow, with low budgetary allocation, corruption, misappropriation and diversion.
He stressed that health workers migration impact negatively on the health systems of source countries and huge economic loss after investing huge resources in training health professionals.
He pointed out that while infrastructures, physical capital and pharmaceuticals are important, workforce for health remains one of the key health system inputs that undoubtedly ensure qualitative service delivery and improve health outcomes.
“The Nigeria government and health workers unions must play a critical role in increasing the number of trained doctors to combat the shortages through increasing access to training and retraining.
“The government must also stop the brain drain because of the negative effect it has on the economy; loss of investment in manpower, loss of revenue and shortage of skilled workforce,” he added.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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