‘Diaspora doctors an economical and social development tool’

Nigerian doctors in Diaspora have been described as an economical and social development tool in improving Nigeria’s health sector by the Nigeria Health Watch. This was disclosed Monday at a press briefing to announce the 2018 Future of Health Conference tagged ‘The Diaspora as Nigeria’s brain’ in Abuja. Adoabi Ezeokoli, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch […]

Nigerian doctors in Diaspora have been described as an economical and social development tool in improving Nigeria’s health sector by the Nigeria Health Watch.

This was disclosed Monday at a press briefing to announce the 2018 Future of Health Conference tagged ‘The Diaspora as Nigeria’s brain’ in Abuja.

Adoabi Ezeokoli, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch disclosed that no fewer than 5,405 Nigerian-trained doctors and nurses are currently working with the British National Health Service.

Also, according to the World Bank, Nigerians in the Diaspora sent home $22 billion in 2017, a 6.4% increase from the amount repatriated in 2016 making Nigeria the highest in the Sub-Saharan region in terms of Diaspora remittances.

Ezeokoli stressed the need to get a better understanding of the size, composition and skills of Nigerian doctors in Diaspora so as to channel it into improving Nigeria health sector.

She said the conference aims to “bring attention to the health professionals who are returning to Nigeria to offer their insights, knowledge and expertise to infuse global approaches to achieving UHC in Nigeria.

“This is an opportunity for them to know learn what is happening in Nigeria and why they need to come back and as well the opportunity they have here.”

She however lamented the non-inclusion of Diaspora doctors when planning for the nation’s health development.

On his part, Dr Ifeanyi Nsofor, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Nigeria Health Watch stressed the need to create synergy between Diaspora doctors and health workers practicing in Nigeria to improve the nation’s health sector.

“Within our own space we’ve come to learn about some practices that have been set up by Nigerian Diaspora doctors that came back that we are not even aware of and its possible that Nigerians may be going out of the country to seek for health care that is already available here but nobody has shun light on over the years.” He said.

He also called on Nigerians to push for affordable and accessible healthcare in the forth coming election.

 

Pix from US Nigeria