The Minister of State for Health and Welfare, Tunde Alausa, has urged the newly inducted foreign-trained medical graduates not to abandon Nigeria for greener pastures abroad.
He made this plea at the induction ceremony of 416 doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Ismaila Adiatu, assured the new doctors that the government would create a conducive environment for them to practice their profession.
He also promised to improve the infrastructure, salary and conditions of the health workers.
He said, “Don’t ‘japa.’ Stay behind and help your country. We will provide an enabling environment for you to practise and be satisfied.
“We will improve the infrastructure, the conditions and the salary. Please don’t go; even if for your parents and your relatives, stay behind so that the field is not left for quacks.”
The induction ceremony came at a time when many Nigerian doctors are leaving the country for better opportunities abroad, resulting in a poor patient-doctor ratio in the health sector.
The guest lecturer, Prof Christie Mato, the acting Vice Chancellor of Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, cautioned the inductees about the significant responsibilities associated with the title of medical doctor.
She stressed the importance of humility, respect and sensitivity in the conduct of medical professionals towards their patients and colleagues.
The registrar of the MDCN, Tajudeen Sanusi, also advised the new doctors to be compassionate in their practice and to be ready to serve anywhere in the country.
He urged them not to neglect their commitment to ongoing learning and development in the profession