Health Minister engages diaspora physicians, seeks collaboration
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently engaged with diaspora physicians in a virtual meeting, seeking to collaborate and leverage their expertise for further advancements in healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
This historic dialogue, organized by the Special Adviser on Diaspora Health Affairs, Dr. Bayo Adedewe, marks the first time a Minister in the Federal Ministry of Health has held an open discussion with such a wide network of Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad.
During the meeting, Dr. Alausa showcased the significant progress made by the Ministry within the past nine months under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He emphasized the government’s commitment to address the critical issue of healthcare worker shortage, highlighting directives to double the intake at all Medical Schools and allied health departments across the country.
“We are reclaiming our position on the world stage regarding healthcare delivery, and we need your expertise and support to achieve this,” Dr. Alausa stated, addressing the diaspora physicians. He encouraged them to actively participate in knowledge transfer, innovation, and capacity building initiatives within the Nigerian healthcare system.
The Minister further challenged the diaspora physicians to contribute to enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery using innovative approaches, including leveraging digital resources and collaborating with local healthcare professionals.
The virtual meeting fostered a platform for open dialogue, with diaspora physicians raising concerns and offering valuable suggestions. Dr. Alausa acknowledged their feedback and reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and creating an enabling environment for diaspora professionals to contribute to the nation’s healthcare sector.
The engagement with diaspora physicians is expected to pave the way for future partnerships and collective efforts towards improving healthcare outcomes for all Nigerians.
