Medical brain drain: Tinubu calls for sustainable solutions across West Africa

Stanley Ihedigbo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged medical professionals across West Africa to develop practical and sustainable solutions to the persistent migration of skilled healthcare workers from the sub-region, warning that the trend continues to put pressure on healthcare systems.

Tinubu made the call on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, shortly after being conferred with a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) in recognition of his administration’s commitment to healthcare reforms and medical development.

The President urged the leadership of the College to use its forthcoming conference to develop workable strategies to address medical brain drain, which has continued to affect the availability of qualified personnel and access to essential healthcare services across the sub-region.

According to him, the migration of medical professionals increases the workload of those who remain in the healthcare system and places additional pressure on already stretched medical facilities.

“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.

According to the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, he wished the College success in its efforts to advance medical practice and pledged his continued support for the profession.

The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to comprehensive health sector reforms aimed at making healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable and efficient for Nigerians.

Tinubu commended medical professionals for their contributions to medical research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions and the development of resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to existing and emerging public health challenges.

He expressed appreciation to the College’s leadership for considering him worthy of the prestigious fellowship.

Speaking at the event, the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of WACP, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, said the College confers the honour on leaders whose contributions have made a significant impact on healthcare delivery and the health of people across West Africa.

“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.

Similarly, the Secretary-General of WACP and spokesperson for the delegation, Professor Musa Dankyau, said the decision to honour Tinubu reflected the administration’s commitment to implementing far-reaching healthcare reforms.

Dankyau disclosed that the College had conferred the fellowship only eight times in its 50-year history.

He said the first recipient was former Gambian President Dawda Jawara, while former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, received the honour in 1991.

According to Dankyau, the Federal Government has recorded investments and progress in healthcare development, disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness.

“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.

Dankyau added that the Health Minister had recently announced Nigeria’s preparedness to respond to Ebola, noting that the development helped reassure medical professionals across the sub-region.

The ceremony was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. 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.

The fellowship underscores the College’s recognition of Tinubu’s stated commitment to healthcare reforms, while his call for practical measures to address medical brain drain highlights the continuing challenge of retaining skilled healthcare professionals across West Africa.