BENIN CITY – The newly elected National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Professor Afekhide Omoti, has called for improved welfare, enhanced security and better working conditions for medical practitioners as part of urgent measures to stem the growing wave of brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector.
Omoti made the call on Thursday shortly after arriving at the Benin Airport, where he was received by members and leaders of the NMA Edo State Branch, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and other affiliate bodies.
Addressing journalists, the NMA president pledged that the welfare, dignity and professional well-being of medical doctors would remain a major focus of his administration.
He assured that efforts would be intensified to create a conducive work environment for healthcare professionals nationwide.
“We will do everything in our power to restore the dignity of medical doctors and improve their welfare. Also, security and a conducive work environment for medical practitioners and indeed all health workers will be a priority,” he said.
Omoti expressed concern over the increasing migration of young medical professionals abroad, warning that the trend posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system.
According to him, many young doctors now complete their education only to prepare for foreign examinations and leave the country in search of better opportunities.
“Our young ones cannot finish school and go abroad because at the moment, that’s all they do. They write foreign examinations and take off. We want to make sure that kind of thing stops,” he said.
He warned that Nigeria risks a healthcare crisis if urgent interventions are not made to retain medical personnel.
“We cannot continue to train doctors for the rest of the world. We have to train doctors for Nigeria or else very soon, we will have nobody to look after us. The situation is very bad at the moment and it needs urgent attention. We must act now,” Omoti added.
On workers’ welfare, he assured doctors across all cadres and locations of stronger advocacy for improved welfare packages, rights and privileges.
“We will advocate for the welfare, rights and privileges of doctors irrespective of their levels, cadre or location. We will also strive to improve the healthcare system in Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he stated.
Earlier, Edo State Chairman of the NMA, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, described Omoti’s emergence as National President as a moment of pride for the state chapter, noting that it was a privilege for the Edo branch to produce the national leader during his tenure.
