‎Dabiri-Erewa Unveils 2026 Diaspora Health Initiative to Strengthen Local Hospitals

‎Dabiri-Erewa Unveils 2026 Diaspora Health Initiative to Strengthen Local Hospitals
‎NiDCOM to Deploy Diaspora Doctors to Boost Healthcare
‎Seven Diaspora Medical Groups to Support Healthcare Delivery

‎The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced plans to mobilise Nigerian medical professionals living abroad to support healthcare delivery in selected states across the country in 2026.

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‎Eko Hot Blog reports that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while unveiling the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) 2026.

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‎The initiative, themed “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” is designed to bring diaspora-based doctors and specialists to different geopolitical zones for medical interventions, specialist training, and knowledge transfer.

‎Dabiri-Erewa said while Nigeria receives over $20 billion annually in diaspora remittances, the country has yet to fully leverage the professional expertise of its healthcare workers abroad. She noted that many Nigerian doctors overseas occupy strategic positions in global health systems and can play a transformative role in strengthening Nigeria’s medical sector.

‎According to her, DHII 2026 will provide a coordinated structure to align diaspora expertise with pressing health priorities at national and state levels, particularly in underserved communities.

‎Under the programme, seven diaspora medical associations will be deployed to Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, and Kaduna between July 20 and 23, 2026, ahead of the annual National Diaspora Day scheduled for July 25. The teams are expected to collaborate closely with state governments and local health institutions.

‎Participating organisations include the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, the Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists, the Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain, the Concerned Medics Foundation, the Nigerian Medical Association Germany, the Nigerian-Australian Medical & Dental Association, and the Nigerian Doctors Forum – South Africa.

‎Dabiri-Erewa Unveils 2026 Diaspora Health Initiative to Strengthen Local Hospitals — Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

‎Their interventions will cover a wide range of services such as maternal and neonatal healthcare, sickle cell screening, women’s health services, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, reproductive health diagnostics, point-of-care ultrasound, as well as medical leadership and health governance training.

‎Dabiri-Erewa emphasised that the initiative is structured to promote long-term capacity building rather than short-term medical outreach. Expected outcomes include improved access to specialist services, enhanced clinical competence among local practitioners, stronger institutional capacity, and the generation of measurable health data.

‎She commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising diaspora engagement as a strategic component of Nigeria’s foreign policy and national development agenda.

‎The Chief Executive Officer of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Fatima Kyari, assured that the council would fast-track licensing for participating medical and dental personnel to ensure smooth implementation.

‎Also speaking, Hamid Balogun, Vice President of the Nigerian Medical Association Germany, underscored the importance of sustainability, urging that the initiative should evolve into a long-term partnership rather than a one-off intervention.

‎Nigeria’s health sector continues to face challenges including shortages of specialist doctors, uneven distribution of medical personnel, and limited access to advanced care in rural communities. Meanwhile, thousands of Nigerian-trained health professionals practise abroad, contributing significantly to healthcare systems in Europe, North America, and other regions.