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Tinubu Approves Policy to Retain Health Workers Amid Migration Concerns
“These initiatives aim to create a supportive work environment, reduce burnout, and enhance job satisfaction,” Pate noted
Abuja, Nigeria- President Bola Tinubu has endorsed a new national policy aimed at addressing the migration of medical professionals from Nigeria.
Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced on Monday that the policy is a strategic effort to manage and reverse the outflow of healthcare workers seeking opportunities abroad.
The policy includes various measures to stabilize the healthcare workforce and is designed to entice professionals to return to Nigeria by offering attractive incentives and facilitating their reintegration into the local healthcare system.
“This strategy leverages the expertise of our diaspora to fill gaps in the health sector,” Pate stated.
The policy also promotes reciprocal agreements with other countries to ensure mutual benefits in the exchange of health workers.
“These bilateral and multilateral agreements are crafted to protect national interests while respecting the rights and aspirations of our healthcare professionals,” he added.
Pate called for recipient countries to adhere to a 1:1 matching policy, training one worker to replace each Nigerian health worker who was publicly trained and received.
The policy emphasizes work-life balance by incorporating routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours, especially for younger doctors.
“These initiatives aim to create a supportive work environment, reduce burnout, and enhance job satisfaction,” Pate noted.
The National Human Resources for Health Program (#NHRHP) at @Fmohnigeria, in collaboration with state governments, will oversee the policy’s implementation and ensure it aligns with broader sector-wide health goals (#SWAp).