Moses Adeniyi
Brain drain, which has led to a shortage of manpower is posing more distress to the health sector in Nigeria, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has said, noting that Lagos is particularly affected by the trend with a deficit of 30,000 medical professionals.
He stated this on Thursday at the Lagos State University College of Medicine induction ceremony for its 18th set of graduating medical doctors and 8th set of graduating dental surgeons.
Abayomi said amidst a growing population of over 20 million people, Lagos is constrained by the increasing dearth of doctors in the country as the trend of health professionals fleeing for greener pastures abroad gets worse.
According to him, the massive relocation of doctors abroad for greener pastures has imposed a negative effect on the health sector in terms of the availability of manpower.
He, therefore, appealed to the inductees to specialise in various fields and contribute to improving the health sector in Nigeria.
Abayomi said, “We have to start something and start from this graduation. There is a shortage of about 30,000 medical professionals in Lagos.
“I know many of you would like to ‘japa’ (seek greener pastures abroad). We have a lot of Nigerians in the diaspora. You have the freedom of choice to ‘Japa’ out of Nigeria, but what we would like to see is a set of professionals that have the opportunity to ‘Japa’ and still have an impact on the ground.
“And even better, those of you who choose to go abroad to expand your capabilities, you can make a deliberate decision to come back to Nigeria,” he said
The Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo, in his remarks, applauded the Lagos State Government for its continuous support for the development of the institution.
In his address, the Provost of LASUCOM, Prof Abiodun Adewuya, encouraged the inductees to expand their horizons in any field of the health sector they choose to engage in for practice.
He noted that LASUCOM is working towards being the best medical school in the South West, mentioning that many products of the institution are making indelible strides in the health sector across the globe, doing well to make LASUCOM proud.
He noted that the College aims to produce at least 1000 medical doctors in the next five years.
Also, the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, LASU, Prof Olufunsho Omobitan, congratulated the inductees but implored them to stay back home and contribute significantly to country’s health sector, noting that the government has invested so much in their education at subsidised rates.
81 inductees were on Thursday sworn by the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Fatima Kyari, while the overall Best Medical Student, 8th set of graduating medical doctors, Okenwa Rejoice Chisom and 8th set of graduating dental students, Okoh Gloria Anuoluwa were awarded prizes.
It was noted that LASUCOM has so far, produced 1093 medical doctors and 51 dental surgeons.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
The post Health commissioner decries emigration, says Lagos faces 30,000 doctors shortage appeared first on Healthwise.