Doctors in US returning to Nigeria says Minister

Prof Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, says Nigerian doctors who migrated abroad, including United States are gradually returning to their homeland (Nigeria), citing mechanisms that is being put in place by President Bola Tinubu-led government in addressing brain drain in the health sector.

The Minister who said this on Channel Television Politics Today interview where he explained that the government is building infrastructure and reversing ‘Japa syndrome among health workers in Nigeria.

‘Japa’ is a colloquial word that translates to “run away” or “escape. The syndrome found its way into Nigerian colloquial expression, which is used to convey the idea of swift and evasive action in Yoruba language.

Prof. Pate said, “We have been told that some who left the United Kingdom, doing sophisticated and fantastic jobs. There are some Oncologists that are setting up practices in Lagos.

“My colleague, the Minister of State Health has a phenomenal practice in Chicago. He is here (Nigeria), running around doing the work that we need to do, rebuild this Country. Then, many of us like that. Not only doctors, but Nurses who are also doing that”, he said.

Asked whether the federal government has plans to increase the pay package of health workers or other incentives to discourage brain drain of skilled medical workers, the Minister said, “Recently, President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage law. And with that, there are implications.

Prof Pate revealed that the government is working on other incentives, which he would not want to disclose at the moment, noting that “it is overall package”.

“We are putting other elements that are making it easier for Health workers than salaries. And for those who left it will make it easier for them to return”, he said despite the differences in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Nigeria and other developer Countries,. including the United Kingdom.

Speaking further the Minister said, “this is our Country. We have a moment in time we can rebuild it and make it work. The difficulties that we have is to look through and make more sacrifices”.