Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa with Nigerian physicians in the Americas at the ANPA convention
The convention, which kicked off on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, concluded on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Here’s Eko Hot Blog‘s roundup of the best bits from the trip:
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, outlined the Nigerian government’s ambitious agenda to transform the healthcare sector.
Addressing the gathering of healthcare professionals, Dr. Alausa emphasized the critical need for reform in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
He cited significant challenges, including funding deficiencies, healthcare professional shortages exacerbated by brain drain, high out-of-pocket expenses, inadequate health insurance coverage, and governance issues.
The minister, however, highlighted the government’s proactive approach, detailing a four-point agenda aimed at addressing these challenges.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa with Nigerian physicians in the Americas at the ANPA convention
Dr. Alausa asked Nigerians in the diaspora to allow their children visit Lagos in December for “Detty December”.
“Detty December” is a cultural celebration in Lagos in December of each year that attracts people from the Nigerian diaspora for a month of festivities.
Addressing the Nigerian physicians in California, United States, over the weekend, Dr. Alausa said Lagos is the place to be in December.
The health minister said the Federal Government fully supports moves by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to facilitate licensing for Nigerian physicians in Diaspora to practice in Nigeria.
The minister spoke after leading the Nigerian delegation in discussions with ANPA on the matter.
Dr. Diana Ramos, California Surgeon General (Middle Left) and Dr. Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare (Middle Right) after the minister met with ANPA members in California
The minister said the health ministry’s Healthcare professional in the Diaspora (HPD) initiative is in line with the MDCN’s aim to ensure that Nigerian doctors in the diaspora can practise in Nigeria.
The Federal Government is seeking a collaboration with ANPA members on various healthcare administration issues in Nigeria.
Dr. Alausa mentioned possible areas of collaboration to include Medical Education with Medical Schools, Manpower synergy with Tertiary Hospitals, Adoption of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), Research, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
The minister expressed optimism that Nigeria’s healthcare system has a bright future.
He shared his thoughts during a Breakfast Meeting at the ANPA Annual Convention.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa addressing Nigerian physicians in the Americas at the ANPA convention
In his address to the Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, the health minister challenged them to contribute their quota to the development of the Nigerian healthcare system.
In a landmark development for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, ANPA and MDCN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of the health minister.
The MoU is to collaborate on securing accreditation for Nigeria’s undergraduate medical education by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).
This memorandum represents a significant stride towards enhancing the quality and stability of Nigeria’s medical education system.
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