The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals has appealed to the Federal Government to address brain drain in the health sector.
NUAHP National President, Dr. Chimela Ogbonna, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.
He was reacting to the disclosure of a four-point agenda by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, and the Minister of State, Dr. Tunji Alausa, with which to improve healthcare for citizens.
According to him, the country’s health sector is facing human resource and financing gaps, which impact patients’ experiences, health outcomes and healthcare service delivery.
“The number of healthcare workers leaving the country is high and creating a huge gap in the health system.
“Urgent attention must be given to this issue because as the country’s population is increasing, so is the need for more health professionals to be available,” he said.
Ogbonna noted that the four-point agenda showed that the nation’s health indices had been nose-diving.
He said more efforts should be made to ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare services for all citizens.
According to him, resilient public health systems can prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats.
Ogbonna appealed to governments to improve budgetary allocation to the health sector to align with the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration.
He also called for more training for managers of public health facilities on funds management to improve efficiency.
NAN reports that the ministers on September 9, unveiled the four-point agenda that aims to improve governance and leadership in hospitals and strengthen population health outcomes, medical industrialisation and social welfare.
(NAN)
