April 03, (THEWILL) – In a bid to arrest the brain drain of health professionals in the country, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has proposed an increase in remuneration and funding for the health sector, by the Federal Government.
The NARD President, Innocent Orji, made the call while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
Orji said funding for the health sector should take at least 15 percent of the nation’s yearly budget, in line with the Abuja Declaration of 2001 – a pledge by AU countries to increase funding for the health sector.
He noted that brain drain is a major challenge facing the health sector that must be addressed urgently.
“So, we want the incoming government to identify and solve the root cause of the syndrome and take deliberate measures toward reversing it”, he said.
Orji explained that the challenge of brain drain is fuelled by poor health infrastructure due to poor funding and inadequate training, especially in highly specialised areas.
He identified poor remuneration, lack of incentives and welfare packages, unsafe work environment, and insecurity, as factors influencing the migration of medical personnel to other countries.
“We expect improved infrastructure development from all aspects, be it architectural, technological, or human”, he said.
According to him, improved remuneration was necessary for the face of worsening economic hardship and dwindling naira value.
Orji decried situations of some doctors, being owed several months of salaries and allowances, especially in the State Tertiary Health Institutions.
