…as data protection, police training bills pass second reading


A bill seeking to curb brain drain by mandating Nigerian medical doctors to practice at least 5 years in the country before going abroad will have passed for second reading at the House of Representatives.

Tilted “A bill for an Act to Amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M379, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to mandate any Nigeria-trained Medical or Dental Practitioner to Practice in Nigeria for a minimum of five before being granted a full licence by the council in order to make quality health services available to Nigeria,” was sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson.


Leading the debate at Thursday’s plenary, Johnson said the bill when passed into law will effectively checkmate the mass exodus of doctors abroad.


He said that bill will also ensure that no doctor was given a full operational licence until after 5 years.

Speaking against the bill, Hon. Nkem Abonta from Abia State said the bill was offensive.

“I have the eyes of seeing bills that will not move on well. What this bill is asking is offensive. The Bill is asking that any Nigerian trained medical doctor must mandatory train 5 years before he can he be be given a license after qualification, you must work here compulsorily that’s not obtainable in any clime”, he said.

But in his reaction to the observation, Johnson said it was to enable the medical doctors to give back to the society that trained them.

“Government has invested so much money in training these medical doctors, on the average. Recently United kingdom opened healthcare visa to people, they were all going to UK, USA, Canada so should we fold our hands. So to give back to our society after training you, the least we can get from you after your housemanship before you’re given full license you practice for 5 years before you can go”, he said.


The Bill was thereafter put to a voice vote and majority of the lawmakers supported it.

In a related development, the House also passed through second reading the Nigerian Data Protection Bill and police force college training schools and institutions establishment Bill.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday written to the House, urging the lawmakers to consider the bills, explaining that the data protection bill will provide a legal framework for the protection of personal information and establish a data protection commission for the regulation of the processing of personal information.

He also explained that the police force college training schools and Institutions establishment Bill will provide a comprehensive institutional framework for the establishment of the Nigerian police force college for the provision of specialized training to officers in law enforcement to enhance their performance.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/brain-drain-reps-bill-prescribes-5-years-compulsory-local-practice-for-nigerian-doctors/

Because na fg train dem for medical school...mtchewwww!

We are not ready to move forward as a country yet. Is it by law Nigerian Doctors are being attracted to other countries? of course, the answer is No. Conducive working environment, better pay and welfare will definitely make them stay and even attracts Doctors from other parts of the world.

When will they debate on slashing their humongous salaries and allowances?? You want Doctors to work here in the country by force under what conditions? Have you people considered making their pay and incentives as attractive as yours?

90% of doctors with less than 5 years of experience are young doctors who do not have as much patience as the older ones.
They should fck around and find out.

Rubish!!!
If the system is working, will there be need to look elsewhere?

There should be first, a bill to mandate all public office holders to seek health care only in Nigeria.

Gosh!!! I didn't know their cluelessness is this bad.