President Bola Tinubu has given the green light to the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the numerous challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector.
This significant approval was announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
The newly approved policy goes beyond merely responding to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals from Nigeria. It is designed as a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and potentially reverse the migration of health workers.
Pate said, “This afternoon, HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, in-Council, approved a landmark policy set to transform healthcare human resource management in Nigeria.”
READ ALSO:
Chelsea to Begin Contract Talks with Nicolas Jackson Following Cole Palmer’s Extension
“The National Policy on Health Workforce Migration addresses the critical challenges facing Nigeria’s health human resources. As the AU Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership, Mr President’s commitment to a resilient and robust healthcare system is powerfully reflected in this forward-looking policy.”
“This policy is more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals; it’s a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration. It envisions a thriving workforce that is well-supported, adequately rewarded, and optimally utilised to meet the healthcare needs of all Nigerians.”
In recent years, a growing number of Nigerian healthcare professionals have left the country in search of better opportunities abroad, driven by factors such as inadequate equipment, worsening insecurity, poor working conditions, and an unsatisfactory salary structure.
This exodus has left those remaining in the country to grapple with increased workloads and extended hours, further straining the already overburdened health system.
At the heart of this policy is the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme, which outlines a framework for regularly reviewing the working conditions of health workers.
The program is particularly focused on ensuring that healthcare professionals, especially those serving in rural and underserved areas, receive the recognition, rewards, and support they deserve.
This approach is expected to not only improve retention rates within the country but also enhance the overall efficiency and morale of the health workforce.
READ ALSO:
Concerns Rise as NERC Mandates Direct Power Purchases from GenCos by DisCos
An important aspect of the policy is its emphasis on the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals currently working abroad. To facilitate this, the policy includes streamlined registration processes and attractive incentives aimed at encouraging these skilled professionals to return home.
By creating a welcoming environment and providing opportunities for meaningful contributions, the policy seeks to actively reintegrate returning professionals into Nigeria’s health system.
This initiative marks a critical step in addressing the health human resource challenges facing Nigeria, reflecting a commitment to not only stem the tide of emigration but also to rebuild and strengthen the nation’s healthcare infrastructure from within.