Woo doctors back to Nigeria, experts tell FG

To address the shortage of health workers in the country, the President and Director HBG Medical Assistance, India, Abhik Moitra, has called on the Federal Government to woo back Nigerian doctors and nurses in the Diaspora.

Moitra spoke at a stakeholder’s forum in Lagos organised by Wings of Rescue Limited, in collaboration with Fortis Healthcare Limited, India and HBG.

He urged the government to take a cue from India, whose government had made efforts to bring its doctors in Diaspora back, and has thus made the country a popular destination for medical treatment.

Moitra said, “India turns out 52,000 doctors every year, while Nigeria turns out 5,000. It’s clear that the country needs more doctors. It needs to encourage those abroad to come back to train others; while also wooing more Nigerians to study medicine.

“It’s not just government, parents should also encourage their children to study medicine or take up a profession in the areas of health.”

The Head, International Sales, Fortis Healthcare Limited, India, Mr. Sonal Pahwa, charged government and stakeholders in the public and private sectors to improve on the quality of health care offered to Nigerians.

Pahwa, who stated that improved medical facilities and services would attract foreign investment into the sector, added that Fortis hospital had partnered with Lagoon Hospitals towards the provision of 165-bed hospital in Lagos.

He said, “We understand that not many Nigerian patients can travel to India for treatment. That is why we want to bridge the gap in service delivery. We have partnered with a local health care provider, Lagoon Hospitals, in terms of technology and services. We will be taking these services to many parts of the country.”

The Managing Director, Wings of Rescue, Lagos, Oluwadara Mould, advised Nigerians to seek professional advice from experts before they travel abroad for treatment.

Mould said this is so that they are not exploited or their cases mismanaged.

She said, “It’s advisable for patients to get recommendation before they seek treatment abroad. This is so that they are treated in hospitals that have the specialists that can handle the case, else they can be stranded abroad. These patients spend much more than they would have if they had gone through the proper channel.”

PUNCH.