Over 10,000 Nigerian-Trained Doctors Practising In UK — NMA

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has revealed that no fewer than 10, 296 Nigerian-trained doctors are currently practising in the United Kingdom.

The National President of the association, Dr Uche Ojinmah disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing to mark the 2022 Physicians’ Week in Ibadan.

Ojinmah, represented by Dr Wale Lasisi, the NMA Chairman in Oyo State, said; “We call on our governments, at all levels, to quickly declare emergency action in Nigeria’s health sector for the sake of its citizens.” 

He also expressed dissatisfaction over the welfare of members amidst a lack of facilities and infrastructure.

“We, as Nigerian doctors, have been taken from the lofty heights of nobility to nothingness by the neglect and possible disdain for the health sector by successive governments.

“The penchant of state governments for seizing or slashing our salaries and paying it piecemeal at their convenience, without interest, has become the subject of folklore and hence, cannot be allowed to continue.

“On the need to review CONMESS, let me inform you that the ball is now in the court of the governments and they are foot-dragging.

“Let no one take our civility for weakness as we shall do all within the limits of legality to protect the interest of Nigerian doctors, while the governments continue in their ‘search’ for obvious reasons behind medical brain drain,” he said.

He also sent condolences to citizens affected by the flooding in some parts of the country.

“We pray for a quick resolution and recovery. We call on our governments at different levels to work together in helping victims to recover quickly.

“We call on the Federal Government to actively initiate measures to avert another flooding.

“This is one flood too many in our recent history as a nation; we say no more floods while we watch,” Ojinmah said.