Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The federal authorities has canvassed stronger regional cooperation and sensible measures to tackle migration of well being staff and enhance healthcare supply throughout West Africa.
The authorities’s place got here simply because the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) stated that Africa accounts for twenty-four p.c of worldwide illness burden however solely three p.c of worldwide well being workforce.
Quoting 2025 UK report, WAHO stated that 85,000 to 90,000 Nigerian-trained docs and nurses have been registered in UK.
The additional group projected that further 4.2 million staff shall be wanted by 2030,
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, whereas declaring open a gathering to assessment the regional work plan for motivation and retention of well being staff in ECOWAS member international locations stated there are lans to develop the variety of well being staff in Africa.
The assembly, organised by West African Health Organisation (WAHO), seeks to develop methods for retaining expert professionals, enhancing workforce planning and strengthening well being programs throughout the sub-region.
Salako, represented by Dr. Ovuoraye John, Director and Head of Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, stated regional plan will complement continental initiative focusing on two million group well being staff throughout Africa by 2028.
He stated assembly coincided with fiftieth anniversary actions of West African College of Physicians and high-level African Union discussion board on group well being workforce scheduled for Abuja from October 28 to 30.
According to him, simultaneous conferences mirror rising recognition that well being workforce problem requires coordinated motion at nationwide, regional and continental ranges.
“We now know that we cannot do it alone in silos. We need every resource available to us as a country to get it right. The health workforce is the challenge that we are facing on our continent,” Salako stated.
He expressed satisfaction that three initiatives have been happening in Nigeria at similar time, describing convergence as alternative to align regional and continental priorities.
On public well being safety, Salako urged members to observe Nigeria’s Ebola prevention protocols, saying nation had continued to enable public gatherings regardless of recording a confirmed case.
He stated no further instances have been recorded since preliminary affirmation, with contact tracing expanded to 53 individuals as of Sunday, all monitored and people in danger examined adverse.
He stated index affected person was recovering although evacuated to Switzerland earlier in day.
Representative of West African College of Surgeons, Prof. Foluso Owoeye, stated success of healthcare programs relies upon not solely on infrastructure however on competence, motivation and availability of well being staff.
He described migration of well being professionals, generally referred to as mind drain or japa, as main risk to sustainability and high quality of healthcare in West Africa, warning these enormous investments in coaching could have restricted worth if international locations fail to create situations for retention.
He urged that work plans comprise sensible measures, measurable targets, sensible timelines and clear obligations, with stronger hyperlinks between coaching and retention, together with mentorship, analysis and profession development.
WAHO Director General, Prof. Palokinam Pitch, represented by Director of Public Health and Research, Prof. Joseph Olorunda, stated Authority of Heads of State had directed that the doc be accomplished to information retention planning for subsequent 5, 10, 15 and 20 years earlier than presentation to Assembly of Health Ministers.
Pitch stated work had begun on harmonising coaching curricula, with 58 curricula developed to ease mobility of pros throughout ECOWAS states.
He stated area wants long-term planning to tackle departure of pros amid rising challenges together with non-communicable illnesses and local weather change.
WAHO stated that Africa accounts for twenty-four p.c of worldwide illness burden however solely three p.c of well being workforce, with projection of further 4.2 million staff wanted by 2030, whereas 2025 UK report confirmed 85,000 to 90,000 Nigerian-trained docs and nurses registered in UK.
The proposed framework is anticipated to promote improved remuneration, supportive working atmosphere, profession growth and evidence-based staffing for underserved communities.
