President Bola Tinubu’s administration has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality healthcare services to all Nigerians, despite the challenges posed by brain drain in the health sector. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, disclosed that the Federal Government plans to recruit more health professionals and engage with Nigerian health workers abroad to leverage their expertise.
During his tour of federal health facilities in Ogun State, Salako emphasized the government’s efforts to address the shortage of manpower in the health sector. He noted that President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of more health workers, exceeding the quota for other sectors.
The minister also highlighted the government’s initiative to “harvest” the contributions of Nigerian doctors in the UK, US, and Ireland to support the country’s healthcare system. This move aims to mitigate the impact of brain drain and improve healthcare delivery.
In addition, Salako appealed to the Ogun State government to domesticate the Mental Health Act, expanding access to mental health care for residents. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, assured that the state will domesticate the act, emphasizing the importance of ensuring citizens’ safety and well-being.
The Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the healthcare system come as the country prepares for the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties gearing up to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
