The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, has counselled young doctors not to rush into leaving the country for overseas practice, cautioning that the grass may not be greener on the other side.
His advice was delivered during the formal administration of an oath to 416 foreign-trained doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) at an induction ceremony in Abuja.
Represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Dr Ismail Ajatu, the minister urged the newly inducted doctors to uphold their profession’s high standards and noble expectations.
He implored them to consider staying in Nigeria to contribute to improving the health sector and national development.
Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, the Registrar of MDCN, who administered the oath, emphasized the high demand for Nigerian medical practitioners globally, attributing it to the country’s longstanding commitment to maintaining impeccable standards.
He highlighted that the measures are being taken to instil discipline in the medical profession, including restrictions on House Officers participating in trade unions or engaging in industrial action during their mandatory one-year training programme.
Additionally, Sanusi warned that House Officers embarking on strikes or abandoning their duty posts may be required to repeat the program at no extra cost to the government.
He also disclosed ongoing efforts to reabsorb Nigerian medical students who had to halt their studies in Ukraine due to the continuing conflict, allowing them to complete their programs locally.
