In a bid to address the growing issue of medical professionals leaving the country, Lagos State lawmaker Ganiyu Johnson, representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II at the House of Representatives, is set to introduce legislative measures. This initiative follows the recent success of his bill advocating for a compulsory five-year service period for medical and dental graduates in Nigeria before obtaining full licensing.
The recently passed legislation, titled ‘A Bill for an Act to amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act,’ aims to curb the mass migration of healthcare professionals, ensuring that they contribute significantly to the local healthcare system. However, critics argue that the bill is discriminatory and akin to modern-day slavery.
In a candid interview on the Channels Television program ‘Hard Copy,’ Ganiyu defended the proposed bill, emphasizing his commitment to the improvement of the healthcare sector. He acknowledged the need to enhance the welfare packages for medical professionals but insisted that his proposed measures were essential for tackling the critical shortage of healthcare practitioners in the country.
Ganiyu stressed the importance of upgrading and maintaining healthcare facilities, such as primary health centers, general hospitals, and specialist hospitals, to create job opportunities for medical professionals. He clarified that the five-year compulsory service, encompassing housemanship and youth service, was designed to encourage doctors to specialize within the country.
Moreover, Ganiyu revealed that additional bills targeting nurses and pharmacists were in the pipeline, indicating that the proposed legislation is just the initial phase of a comprehensive strategy. He characterized these measures as short-term solutions, aiming to assess their effectiveness in mitigating the brain drain issue.
While stakeholders in the health sector have criticized the bill as potentially exacerbating the problem, Ganiyu remains optimistic about its long-term benefits. He believes that by implementing these measures, the country can create a win-win situation for both medical professionals and the nation’s overall healthcare system.
