By Hassan Zaggi
The Medical Director of Alliance Hospital, Dr. Christopher Otabor, has, for the umpteen time, advised the Federal Government to do everything possible to halt brain drain of medical doctors in the country.
He also charged the government to invest more resources in country’ health sector for optimum performance.
Dr. Otabor stated this in an interview with journalists after receiving a Humanitarian Service Diamond Award in Abuja, yesterday.
The humanitarian award was given to 50 Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the service of humanity.
While commending the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate, for the initiatives he is putting in place to reduce brain drain of medical doctors, he, however, said that more needs to be done to tackle the trend.
“I commend the Minister of Health, Professor Ali, for trying to stop Nigerian doctors from leaving and encouraging others to stay. However, it’s a broader issue beyond the health sector.
“The economy, security, and high cost of living are driving professionals away. Fixing the economy will encourage doctors to stay. The government needs to address the root causes, not just the symptoms,” Dr. Otabor said.
He commended the federal government initiative for reducing tariffs in pharmaceutical products, stressing that: “Reducing tariffs on pharmaceutical products can help, but it’s not a magic bullet.
“The fundamentals haven’t changed, and companies are still leaving due to high production costs. We need a comprehensive approach to address the challenges facing the healthcare sector. The government should also incentivize local production and invest in research and development.
“The government can’t do everything. They should partner with the private sector and incentivize rich individuals to contribute to communities. We need a culture of philanthropy and collaboration.
“The government can recognize and reward private sector contributions to encourage more participation.
“The government can offer incentives like tax breaks, subsidies, and investment in infrastructure. They can also create public-private partnerships to deliver healthcare services. The private sector can bring efficiency and innovation to the healthcare sector.”
Commenting on the Award, Dr. Otabor said that he was humbled and “surprised to be recognized among such an impressive group of individuals. It’s encouraging to know that my efforts are appreciated, and I hope it inspires others to do more for their communities.”
