Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has said that instead of worrying about the continued exodus of Nigerian medical doctors abroad, Nigeria can exploit the new trend, popularly called Japa Syndrome, to earn foreign exchange.
He said since Nigerian doctors are much valued abroad, the government should train more doctors and export them abroad to get βrepatriation of money.β
Governor Mohammed made the proposal in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The Bauchi governorβs visit was to solicit financial support for his state-owned College of Education (Technical), which was newly established by the Bauchi State government.
Reflecting on the Japa trend, Mohammed said there was no need βcrying over spilled milkβ.
Last year, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said no fewer than 1,417 of its members relocated abroad in search of greener pastures.
In November, the House of Representatives Committee on Health revealed that the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, had shut down no fewer than five wards with about 150 beds, due to a shortage of health workers, resulting from doctorsβ exodus abroad.
Speaking on the issue on Tuesday, the Bauchi governor said Nigeria should capitalise on the trend to earn foreign exchange.
Governor Mohammed said, βGo by what they want and produce more (doctors) and be exporting and getting repatriation of money coming back not only to Bauchi, but to other states. Thatβs why weβre repositioning our schools for nursing health technology and university to produce more doctors since we are found to be competent.
βI think we should not be crying over spilled milk. The more they need, the more we should produce for our national need and their need and we need your (TETFund) support in that as well.β
