A new bill aimed at regulating Nigerian-trained medical and dental practitioners from seeking employment abroad until they have worked locally for at least five years has passed the second reading stage in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Rep Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, the bill seeks to prevent doctors and dentists from being granted full licenses until they have completed a minimum of five years of service in Nigeria. The objective of the bill is to address the growing trend of medical practitioners leaving Nigeria to work in other countries.
The bill 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 Nigerian-trained medical and dental practitioner to practice in Nigeria for a minimum of five years before being granted a full license by the Council in order to make quality health services available to Nigeria; and for related matters (HB.2130).” The proposal is meant to ensure that medical professionals who receive taxpayer-funded training in Nigeria remain in the country to provide their services.
Rep Uzoma Nkem-Abonta expressed opposition to the bill on the grounds that it was a form of enslavement, while the bill’s sponsor argued that it was only fair for doctors and dentists who benefited from taxpayer-funded training to give back to their communities by working locally for a certain period. The bill was passed for second reading during a plenary session presided over by the speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The bill’s passage for second reading is a significant development in the effort to curb the exodus of Nigerian-trained medical practitioners seeking employment abroad. The country’s healthcare system has been struggling for years, with a shortage of doctors and inadequate infrastructure leading to poor health outcomes for many Nigerians. By mandating a minimum period of service in Nigeria, the bill aims to ensure that healthcare professionals remain in the country to address the healthcare needs of the Nigerian population.
The proposed legislation is expected to have far-reaching implications for Nigerian-trained medical practitioners seeking employment abroad. The bill’s provisions, if passed into law, could lead to a significant reduction in the number of Nigerian doctors and dentists seeking employment outside of the country. The move could also lead to an improvement in the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria as more medical practitioners remain in the country to provide their services.
The bill to regulate Nigerian-trained medical practitioners from seeking employment abroad until they have completed a minimum of five years of service in Nigeria is a significant development in the effort to address the healthcare challenges facing the country. The bill’s passage for second reading is a positive step towards ensuring that medical professionals remain in the country to provide their services to the Nigerian population