Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced a new policy on Monday aimed at managing and reversing the migration of health workers.
The policy, described as a comprehensive strategy, seeks to address the issue by incentivizing the return of professionals to Nigeria and reintegrating them into the nation’s health system.
“This policy leverages the expertise of our diaspora to bridge gaps within the health sector,” Pate said in a statement.
He emphasized that the policy includes provisions for reciprocal agreements with other countries to ensure that Nigeria benefits from the exchange of health workers.
“These bilateral and multilateral agreements are designed to protect national interests while respecting the rights and aspirations of our healthcare professionals,” the statement read.
“We urge recipient countries to adopt a 1:1 training replacement policy for every publicly trained Nigerian worker they receive.”
The policy also addresses work-life balance by incorporating routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours, particularly for younger doctors.
Pate stated, “These measures aim to create a supportive work environment, reducing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction.”
Oversight of the policy will be managed by the National Human Resources for Health Program (NHRHP) within the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with state governments.
This governance structure is designed to ensure effective implementation and alignment with broader health sector objectives.
Pate concluded, “With this decisive action, the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration is set to secure the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Under Mr. President’s leadership, this policy will catalyze the transformation of our health sector and ensure access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
We invite all stakeholders to contribute to building a healthcare system that reflects our nation’s potential and promise.”
