Don’t Japa’, Health Minister Begs Newly Trained Doctors

The Minister of State for Health and Welfare, Tunde Alausa, has appealed to the 416 foreign-trained medical graduates not to forsake their country for opportunities abroad.

Alausa spoke on Thurday during the induction of the foreign-trained doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in Abuja.

His appeal is coming amid the exodus of medical doctors to other countries around the world, leaving Nigeria’s health sector with a poor patient-doctor ratio.

Represented by his special adviser, Ismaila Adiatu, he said: “Don’t japa. Stay behind and help your country. We will provide an enabling environment for you to practice 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 guest lecturer, Prof. Christie Mato, the acting Vice Chancellor of Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, advised the new doctors about the significant responsibilities associated with the title of medical doctor.

Mato highlighted the significance of humility in the behaviour of medical professionals, urging the inductees to show respect and sensitivity towards both patients and colleagues.

In a remark, the registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Tajudeen Sanusi, stated the importance of compassion in the profession while urging the inductees to be ready to practice medicine anywhere in the country without neglecting their commitment to ongoing learning and development.