Tinubu pleads with Nigerian doctors abroad to return

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged his administration’s commitment to prioritising and improving the health sector through massive investments and an increased allocation of funds to the sector in the proposed 2024 budget.

It is on that premise that the president appealed to Nigerian health workers practising abroad to “sacrifice their time to come back home and serve their people.”

Tinubu made the call on Tuesday, December 12 at the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative at the State House, Abuja.

Describing health as a fundamental human right, he announced plans for a comprehensive revamp of physical infrastructure, equipment and the re-training of frontline health workers starting in 2024.

He said; “Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Care Coverage is reflected in the unwavering dedication of my administration to uphold this right for every individual, young or old, in rural or urban areas.

“Delivering improved quality health is an underpinning factor in my promise of Renewed Hope to Nigerians. That hope is ignited here today with the support of all multilateral partners and agencies; health is back on the front burner.

“This occasion marks an opportunity for collective reflection and action as we recommit ourselves to the noble pursuit of health for all.”

To address the high cost of healthcare, the President revealed plans to redesign the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to enhance access to essential health care services as outlined in the National Health Act (2014).

He said; “We encourage those Nigerian health professionals in the Diaspora, just like Professor Ali Pate and Tunji Alausa have done, to sacrifice their time to come back home and serve their people. Consider your contributions here at home, as we say, ‘Charity begins at home’.

“For the developed countries who benefited from amazing talents of Nigerian health workers, we’ll really encourage them to consider how to support the expansion of training facilities in Nigeria to replace those that they have recruited from here. You should also look at the short and long-term opportunities that we offer.

“Yes, we have a vibrant, well-educated society, but we need Nigeria to rise on one side with climate change and drop the health system to decay. We will rise.”

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