Nigeria’s labour minister Dr. Chris Ngige says the country has adequate medical personnel, hence there should be no worry over the trend of doctors leaving to practice abroad.
The minister made the remarks during an interview with local Channels Television, in which he also said the doctors working abroad also boost the West African country’ foreign exchange earnings.
“Who said we don’t have enough doctors? We have more than enough. You can quote me. There is nothing wrong in them travelling out. When they go abroad, they earn money and send them back home here. Yes, we have foreign exchange earnings from them and not just oil,” Dr. Ngige said.
The minister also said the medical practice in foreign countries gave the Nigerian doctors more experience and trainings which they could plough back into Nigeria’s medical field.
“Brain drain will only be inimical when for instance neurosurgeons travel and we don’t have neurosurgeons here,” the labour minister said.
