A bill that seeks to limit the migration of Nigerian doctors to countries with what is viewed as greener pastures is now being discussed by the National Assembly, but the Federal Government has deemed it “unworkable.”
This was disclosed by Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, at the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House in Abuja, which was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Ngige claimed that the bill violates current labour regulations in response to resident doctors’ plans to go on a five-day warning strike over perceived attempts to prohibit medical and dental graduates from practising anywhere for five years.
The sponsor of the bill, Lagos State Representative Ganiyu Johnson, had argued that the action would stop the enormous departure of medical professionals from the nation.
The legislation is titled, “A Bill for an Act to amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M379, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to mandate any Nigeria-trained medical or dental practitioner to practice in Nigeria for a minimum of five years before being granted a full license by the Council to make quality health services available to Nigeria; and for related matters.”
A five-day warning strike has been planned by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, which has vowed to oppose any attempt to “enslave” Nigerian doctors.
In addition, they demanded the immediate implementation of CONMESS, the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act, a 200% increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, as well as a review of the hazard allowance by all state governments and private tertiary health institutions where any form of residency training is conducted.
