Dr Linda Ayade Declares open Nigeria Medical Association CRS AGM; harps on the need to stem brain drain and attract medical Tourism

Western and Middle East countries are luring Nigerian medical professionals and healthcare workers to migrate as they seek to bridge the gap in medical personnel created by the Coronavirus outbreak in their countries. Is this a loss for Africa, or are we entering into a different future globalised landscape? 

This was disclosed as part of the emerging trends influencing  healthcare delivery in Nigeria during the Annual General Meeting/ Scientific Conference of Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State Chapter held on Wednesday in Calabar. 

Declaring the Scientific Conference open, Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr Linda Ayade harps on the need to stem brain drain and attract medical tourism by creating enabling environment and encouraging medical practitioners to improve healthcare delivery across board in the State and country.

She assured the Medical personnel's of the state continuous support especially in area of Security and COVID-19 response as Frontline health workers faces the highest risk of contacting the virus. Health infrastructure and Access to better Health Care. According to her the time is now to curb brain drain in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Cross River State Commissioner for Health and National Chairman of Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, Dr Betta Edu disclosed that the government of Prof Ben Ayade will continue to work with Doctors in its improved Health facilities and working environments, while providing higher remuneration through the 100% CONMESS. career progression and professional advancement, along with better quality of life including good security as part of the remedy to stem out brain drain among Medical doctors. She noted that Doctors in the teaching hospitals will need to strategically work with state to serve at General Hospitals and Comprehensive primary Health Centers to support the Health insurance Scheme which has registered over 60,000 persons already. She Commended NMA Cross River Chapter Led by Dr Innocent Abang for showing strong leadership and capacity. Congratulating them for the near completion of the NMA secretariat which had been pending for many years! “Everyone has a role to play; Doctors can work strategically with Government to fix the Health sector in Nigeria”

The Chief Host and NMA Chairman, Dr Innocent Abang in his opening remarks revealed that stemming out brain drain has no better time than now when the top echelon in medical practice are relocating to foreign climes with consequences on the impact of training the next generation of Medical practitioners etc. According to him the care of patient and doctors, Job satisfaction is key in promoting quality service delivery when a balance is achieved for both parties.

He commended the effort of the digital Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof Ben Ayade and the “Performing Health Commissioner” Dr Betta Edu for the procurement of the brand new NMA bus and completion to a good extent the NMA Secretariat in Calabar. He also commended the drive of the Government in the Health insurance Scheme as well as other successes recorded in recent times in the health sector of Cross River state. He called on Government to do more to in retaining Doctors in the state employment while pledging support of Doctors yo build a more resilient health system in Cross River.

Chairman of the Occasion and former CMD UCTH and Pro-Chancellor University of Ile Ife,  Prof Rowland Ndoma Egba reiterated that Nigeria has the best number of medical practitioners who can advance the art and science of medicine and promote study in research into medical and related scientific problems but all they needed was job satisfaction, safety and enabling environment. He called on Doctors to deliver more patriotic human and committed service while encouraging Government to play their role efficiently.

The Conference was attended by high profiles and medical Don's across the Country, H.E Retired Brigadier General Anthony I. Ukpo, Chairman of Asi Ukpo Diagnostic and Medical Centre,commander of Federal Road safety Corp Com. Ameh; Several Professor, past and present Chief Medical Director UCTH Calabar, Dr Bassey Edet, Medical Director FNPH Calabar and His Royal Majesty, Ndidem Eta Eteta, Paramount Ruler of Calabar Municipality Rep among others.