Shortage of manpower is posing more distress to the health sector in Nigeria, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has said, noting that Lagos particularly is affected by the trend with a deficit of 30,000 medical professionals.
Amidst a growing population of over 20 million people, Abayomi said Lagos is constrained by the increasing dearth of doctors in the country as the trend of health professionals fleeing for greener pastures abroad bites harder on the country.
The health commissioner stated this on Thursday at the Lagos State University College of Medicine induction ceremony for its 18th set of graduating medical doctors and 8th set of graduating dental surgeons.
Abayomi said the massive relocation of doctors abroad for greener pastures has imposed a negative effect on the health sector in terms of availability of manpower, thereby appealing to the inductees to specialise in various fields and contribute to improving the health sector in Nigeria.
“We have to start something and start from this graduation. There is a shortage of about 30,000 medical professionals in Lagos.
“I know many of you would like to ‘japa’ (seek greener pastures abroad). We have a lot of Nigerians in the diaspora. You have the freedom of choice to ‘Japa’ out of Nigeria, but what we would like to see is a set of professionals that have the opportunity to ‘Japa’ and still have an impact on the ground.
“And even better, those of you who choose to go abroad to expand your capabilities, you can make a deliberate decision to come back to Nigeria,” he said
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo applauded the Lagos State Government for what he said has been continuous support for the development of the institution.
In his address, the Provost of LASUCOM, Prof. Abiodun Adewuya encouraged the inductees to expand their horizons in the fields of the health sector they choose to engage in for practice.
He noted that LASUCOM is working towards being the best medical school in the South West, mentioning that many products of the institution are making indelible strides in the health sector across the globe, doing well to make LASUCOM proud.
He noted that the College aims to produce at least 1000 medical doctors in the next five years.
Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, LASU, Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan congratulated the inductees but implored them to stay back home to contribute significantly to country’s health sector, noting that the government has invested so much in their education at subsidised rates.
Eighty-one inductees were on Thursday sworn by the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council Of Nigeria, Dr Fatima Kyari, while the overall Best Medical Student, 8th set of graduating medical doctors, Okenwa Rejoice Chisom and 8th set of graduating dental students, Okoh Gloria Anuoluwa were awarded prizes.
It was noted that LASUCOM has produced 1093 medical doctors and 51 dental surgeons so far.