The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s agreement to deploy Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals to Saint Lucia.
On Wednesday, Tinubu signed an agreement to deploy skilled
manpower to Saint Lucia, including teachers, medical professionals, and
agriculturists.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ben Egbo, NMA
secretary-general, described the move as a troubling contradiction and an
attempt to bolster Nigeria’s international image while neglecting doctors at
home who work tirelessly to serve the country.
Egbo said the announcement comes at a time Nigerian doctors
are grappling with systemic neglect, poor salaries, and withheld allowances.
“We remind the Federal Government that Nigerian doctors have
been suffering working and serving Nigerians with many doctors leaving the
country due to Poor remuneration; Chronic delays in payment of the Medical
Residency Training Fund (MRTF); non-implementation of previously negotiated
welfare packages and agreements; Hazardous working conditions without
commensurate risk allowances; Lack of universal implementation of the CONMESS
salary structure for many of the doctors,” the statement reads.
“These challenges have overburdened the doctors left behind,
leading to burnout, stress, chronic diseases, and even death, which invariably
increases morbidity and mortality among Nigerians.”
Egbo noted that while the NMA supports regional cooperation
and international engagement, it is “morally unjustifiable” to export
healthcare workers to foreign countries and pay them five times higher than
they earned while serving in Nigeria.
“Thus, encouraging the brain drain with its attendant health
consequences,” he added.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com