Delta state governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa bemoans the brain drain in the country’s medical profession and called for concerted efforts to stem what he described as a national challenge.
Governor Okowa who made this known at the ongoing Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, National Executive Council Meeting and Leadership Retreat in Asaba Delta state capital posits that for Nigeria to remain economically buoyant, the nation should ensure that its health sector is not taunted by these challenges.
Governor Okowa said several factors such as the desire to earn more money, the working environment and inadequate equipment formed part of the reasons Nigerian health workers are leaving the country in droves in search of better working conditions.
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President World Medical Association Osahon Enabulele who challenged medical professionals and Nigerians to aspire to have more persons like Okowa in leadership positions said to address the issue of brain drain Nigerians should walk the talk while the NMA President thanked the Federal Govt and some state governors including that of Delta state for paying the new hazard allowance.
Prof Clement Osime in a lecture titled “Doctors and Effective Leadership in the Health Sector” drew attention to the peculiarities of the health sector and the importance of inclusiveness.
Chairman of the occasion Prof Sam Oyovbaire urged NMA to wake up and assume its pride of place and rebuild the nation’s health sector noting that Governor Okowa has impacted the state’s health sector, especially through the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
