The Federal Government is seeking to improve healthcare professionals’ training and retention as part of efforts to address workforce shortages and strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, made this known during the 11th Statutory Meeting of the Regional Council for Health Professionals Education of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in Abuja.
Pate called for stronger healthcare training programmes that incorporate digital health, artificial intelligence, research and innovative learning methods to prepare professionals for changing healthcare demands.
He also emphasized the need to improve professional standards, working conditions, and career development opportunities to encourage trained healthcare workers to remain within the region.
The minister noted that healthcare workforce challenges extend beyond producing more professionals, stressing the importance of ensuring that qualified personnel have the necessary skills and are available where their services are most needed.
Healthcare worker migration remains a concern for Nigeria and other West African countries, as the movement of trained professionals abroad can worsen staffing gaps in local health facilities.
The Federal Government says its ongoing health sector reforms include strengthening training institutions, improving professional standards and addressing workforce shortages.
The meeting also explored regional cooperation through WAHO to harmonize healthcare education and improve the recognition of professional qualifications across ECOWAS member states. These efforts are expected to support professional development and collaboration across the region.
For Nigeria, improving healthcare training alongside working conditions and career opportunities will be important to ensuring that investments in medical education translate into better access to healthcare services.
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