President Bola Tinubu has called on medical professionals across West Africa to develop sustainable solutions to the migration of skilled healthcare workers, warning that the trend continues to strain healthcare systems and limit access to essential services.
Tinubu made the appeal on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, shortly after being conferred with a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians (WACP).
He urged the college’s leadership to use its forthcoming conference to develop practical measures to address the shortage of medical personnel across the sub-region.
“We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else,” the President said, noting that emerging health threats, including Ebola, required stronger preventive measures and more resilient healthcare systems.
He pledged his continued support for the medical profession and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforms aimed at making healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable and efficient in Nigeria.
Tinubu also commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for his role in driving the reforms.
“We as a government are doing everything possible. Please help me congratulate the reform-oriented physician, Ali Pate, who has been doing a very good job,” he said.
The President praised medical professionals for their contributions to medical research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions and the development of healthcare systems capable of responding to existing and emerging health challenges.
He thanked the college’s leadership for recognising his administration’s efforts with the fellowship.
The College President and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, said the honour was reserved for presidents whose contributions had made a significant impact on healthcare delivery and the health of people across West Africa.
“This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in healthcare delivery and affected the health of the West African people,” Ka said.
The WACP Secretary-General and spokesperson for the delegation, Professor Musa Dankyau, said the decision to honour Tinubu reflected the college’s recognition of his administration’s healthcare reforms.
Dankyau disclosed that the college had conferred the fellowship only eight times in its 50-year history. He said former Gambian President Dawda Jawara was the first recipient, while former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, received the honour in 1991.
He described Tinubu’s recognition as the second time the college had returned to Nigeria to confer the prestigious fellowship on a national leader.
According to Dankyau, the college considered the administration’s investments in healthcare infrastructure, primary healthcare, emergency services and universal health coverage in making its decision.
He added that more than $2.2 billion had been invested in the health sector, while progress had also been recorded in immunisation, disease prevention and public health preparedness.
Dankyau cited the Federal Government’s recent assurance of preparedness to respond to Ebola as evidence of efforts to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage public health emergencies.
The fellowship recognises Tinubu’s contributions to healthcare development and reforms in Nigeria, according to the college.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, among other officials.
