Source: Lara Adejoro
Prof Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
A Bold Step to Retain Nigeria’s Medical Talent
As Nigeria battles the escalating “Japa” crisis—the mass exodus of healthcare professionals—the Federal Government has launched a national housing scheme as part of a broader strategy to stem health workforce migration.
This move follows the implementation of the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, approved by President Bola Tinubu in August 2024 and spearheaded by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.
Speaking to PUNCH, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Bala Audu, confirmed that the policy is now being rolled out in concrete terms, with housing support forming a key component.
“We are beginning to see the actual implementation of the policy. Among them is the creation of what the Federal Government has called Renewed Hope Medical City where healthcare workers will have their houses built at mortgage prices, repayable over 20 to 30 years,” Prof. Audu stated.
A Multi-Pronged Retention Strategy
The health workforce migration policy aims to manage, harness, and reverse the brain drain that has crippled Nigeria’s healthcare system. It outlines several incentives:
- Special mortgage facilities to help doctors, nurses, and allied health workers own homes and cars.
- Rural service incentives to attract staff to underserved regions.
- Periodic reviews of salaries, pensions, and allowances in collaboration with the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
- Capacity expansion in medical, nursing, pharmacy, and health sciences programs in tertiary institutions.
According to Prof. Audu, the Federal Government’s focus is both immediate and long-term, balancing workforce retention with increased healthcare personnel training.
Five-Year Vision
While these efforts may take up to five years to yield significant results, Prof. Audu stressed the urgency of acting now to avoid worsening the crisis.
“If actions are not taken today, the situation will only deteriorate. The fact that we are already collating a list of uptakers for the housing scheme is a good sign,” he added.
Resident Doctors Confirm Collaboration
The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Tope Osundara, corroborated the development. He confirmed that the project—tagged “Residency Village”—is being implemented in partnership with Prof. Pate and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.
“The Minister of Housing and Urban Development has given approval for our residency village, and that is what we are currently working on,” Osundara said.
Conclusion
With this housing initiative and renewed government commitment, Nigeria is taking its first concrete steps toward retaining medical talent and reviving public confidence in the country’s health system.
If fully realized, the Renewed Hope Medical City and broader welfare reforms could become a benchmark for healthcare worker retention in sub-Saharan Africa.
English