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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Professional bodies in Nigeria’s health sector, notably, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Association of Nurses and Midwives, Opthalmologists, Oncologists, among several others, have raised the alarm that Nigeria might face manpower crisis soon due to rising cases of mass exodus of qualified professionals (Japaa) in the health sector.
The professional bodies operating under the platform of Healthcare Transformation Coalition (HTC) declared that the situation has assumed national emergency status, hence, government is required to urgently take necessary actions and steps that would discourage mass exodus of qualified health professionals from the system.
The professional bodies, in a communique released at the end of a symposium in Abuja, at the weekend, declared that it’s time to reposition the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria, suggesting that health should be at the core of the agenda of the incoming government.
They, however, confirmed that they have began the process of setting agenda for the incoming administration that will commence on May 29th, 2023, with the symposium and other engagements that would come afterwards.
They suggested that the new government should take a holistic approach in addressing the challenges confronting the sector through a health sector reform bill that will take cognizance of all existing health institutions and agencies, with the aim of making them more efficient in line with current realities.
The professional bodies, however, vowed to push for increased funding for healthcare sector to a minimum of 10 per cent in order to make significant progress with Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC), in addition to the implementation of national health programme packages to protect against catastrophic health expenditures.
They also suggested increased investment in digital technology as critical element to achieving universal healthcare coverage, and other innovative ways of funding and attracting funding to the health sector.
Secretary of the HTC, John Oko, told journalists at the symposium, that the professional bodies were determined to take steps and actions that would herald significant changes, positive ones, in the health care service delivery in Nigeria.
