The Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Professor Lilian Imuetinyan Salami, has challenged medical and dental consultants to address escalating incidence of brain drain in the country, as it has plagued the health sector for too long.
Professor Salami, according to a statement issued by the University’s Public Relations Unit, was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2022 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), held at the University Auditorium, in Benin City.
She lamented the exodus of doctors, consultants and other health workers from the country, pointing out that although it was normal for people to seek greener pastures, health care practitioners must take their professional oath of care for others more seriously and make necessary sacrifices.
The Vice Chancellor acknowledged that the country is going through challenges and urged all hands to be on deck to make the society a better place for all.
Professor Salami, who was Chairman on the occasion, explained that the University of Benin has made tremendous strides and contributed immensely to the development of quality education in Nigeria by training the needed manpower resource in the Medical and other fields who are positioned to galvanise the advancement of the society.
She reiterated the University’s commitment to the provision of cutting edge facilities for research, teaching and learning in order to make the students competitive internationally and without any feeling of inadequacy.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Alhaji Mahmud Mamman, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Professor Darlington Obaseki, said government is not unaware of the multiple issues surrounding the current brain drain across the health sector.
He said part of government’s response to the phenomenon is the setting up of a Committee on Brain Drain to propose interventions in tackling the challenge. Mamman also urged the MDCAN NEC to look into the matter and come up with permanent solutions.
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Obehi Akoria at the event which held on Friday September 9th.
