ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Vice President Kashim Shettima has appealed to Nigerian doctors to stay in the country and join forces with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to salvage the nation.
He made this appeal on Tuesday when the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, according to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement on Wednesday.
Shettima cautioned against the “Japa Syndrome” and urged the doctors to resist the temptation of absconding, assuring them that the President has their interest at heart.
He commended the sacrifices of Nigerian doctors and their giant strides in repositioning healthcare delivery.
Urging the Nigerian doctors not to despair, the vice president specifically implored them to “remain steadfast” and resist the temptation of offering their services in foreign lands, noting that “in President Tinubu, you have an ally who will stand by you at all times.”
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“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has Nigerian doctors at heart. He has a lot of empathy for our medical doctors who have opted to stay put at home, not for lack of offers.
“Let us stay back and salvage this nation together, this is our country, and the greatest black nation on earth, and a promising nation that we need to invest in.
“The NMA is one of the most prestigious, preeminent associations in this country. We must commend you for the sacrifices you are making and for staying put in this nation.
“All hope is not lost because Nigerian doctors are making giant strides, recording milestones in the profession and, most importantly, making tremendous sacrifices to serve this nation”, Shettima said.
He also asked the NMA to encourage young doctors to specialize in key disciplines and check the activities of quacks in the profession.
The NMA President, Prof. Ishaya Audu, assured that the body is patriotic and will support the health policies of the government to drive improvement in quality healthcare delivery.
He stated: “The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has come here today as a partner to your government and a patriotic group of Nigerians dedicated to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of this government and to ensure that this government delivers quality healthcare to all Nigerians.
“We are sure that this government will address the infrastructural needs to be able to sustain the quality of this training as well as the remuneration that will improve the wellbeing of Nigerian doctors to remain and serve in this country.”
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He applauded the health policies of the Tinubu administration, noting that they will increase training spaces for specialists and improve the wellbeing of Nigerian doctors.
The NMA delegation included top officials, and the visit aimed to show solidarity with the Tinubu administration and its laudable policies for the health sector.
They include first Vice President, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu; Second Vice President, Dr Ushakuma Anenga; Secretary General, Dr Ben Egbo; Deputy Secretary General, Dr Wale Lasisi; National Publicity Secretary, Dr Manir Bature, and Chairman of the FCT chapter, Dr Ugwuanyi Charles, among others.