The Federal Government has approved policy to champion reciprocal agreements with other nations to ensure beneficial exchange of health workers in the country.
This is a comprehensive policy aimed at addressing the challenges of health workforce migration in the country.
The new National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, approved by the Federal Executive Council, seeks to manage, harness, and reverse the exodus of healthcare professionals from Nigeria.
Taking to X on Monday, the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, hinted that the policy is designed to encourage the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals from the diaspora, while also streamlining registration processes and providing incentives to attract skilled professionals back to the country.
The policy also includes provisions for reciprocal agreements with other nations to ensure mutually beneficial exchange of health workers, as well as measures to promote work-life balance and reduce burnout among healthcare professionals.
The Minister emphasized that the policy is a critical step towards strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services.
“This policy is more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals; it’s a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration,” the minister said.
“It envisions a thriving workforce that is well-supported, adequately rewarded, and optimally utilized to meet the healthcare needs of all Nigerians.
“By establishing streamlined registration processes and providing attractive incentives, the policy not only encourages the return of our talented professionals but actively reintegrates them into our health system. This approach leverages the expertise of our diaspora to bridge gaps within the health sector.
“Also, the policy champions reciprocal agreements with other nations to ensure that the exchange of health workers benefits Nigeria.
These bilateral and multilateral agreements are designed to protect national interests while respecting the rights and aspirations of our healthcare professionals. We call on recipient countries to implement a 1:1 match—training one worker to replace every publicly trained Nigerian worker they receive.
“Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, the policy includes provisions for routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours, especially for younger doctors. These measures aim to create a supportive work environment, reducing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction,” the minister stated.
