Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has said doctors are free to leave Nigeria, as we have more than enough in the country.
Chris Ngige who was a guest on Channels TV Sunrise Daily stated that he is not bothered about the decision of medical doctors who choose to leave Nigeria to practice outside the country.
He also added that the practice is not alien to Nigeria, pointing out to the fact that he was taught by Indians in secondary school. He said;
“I’m Not Worried, We Have Surplus (Doctors), if we have a surplus, we export. I was taught Biology and Chemistry by Indian teachers in my secondary school days.
“They are surplus in their country. We have a surplus in the medical profession in our country. I can tell you this. It is my area, we have excess. We have enough, more than enough, quote me.”
The minister also added that the exodus of medical doctors from the country does not amount to brain drain. He said;
“Those guys go there, they are better trained because of the facilities they have there. Eventually, I know a couple of them who practise abroad but set up medical centres back home. They have CAT scan, MRI scan which even the government hospitals cannot maintain. So, I don’t see any loss.
“Brain drain will only be inimical when for instance neurosurgeons travel and we don’t have neurosurgeons here.”
Video below:
Doctors are free to leave Nigeria, we have more than enough – Minister of Labour Chris Ngige (Part 1) pic.twitter.com/vcT90lJi9l
— Uncle Suru (@unclexofficial) April 24, 2019
Doctors are free to leave Nigeria, we have more than enough – Minister of Labour Chris Ngige (Part 2) pic.twitter.com/YYSZjWPhz1
— Uncle Suru (@unclexofficial) April 24, 2019
Nigerians reacting to the news took to twitter and wrote,
Can’t you see he’s already looking like a meme????
— Senior Man?? (@olayemi2810) April 24, 2019
Please Nigerian doctors don’t listen to him. We are the ones that will suffer it. You know they don’t even use our hospitals, that’s what motivates them to make such comments. Please stay for us!
— Michael Kingsley (@Kingso_LALA) April 24, 2019
These men make alot of careless statements.
They feel they are not accountable to the people ?? tragic.— Plenty People (@AbroadBushBoy) April 24, 2019
Dear Nigerians,
Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige is a medical doctor by profession. He opened his mouth to say doctors are not needed in Nigeria. He’s indirectly confusing your childrens that are aspiring to be doctors that they don’t have future here in Nigeria. Pls ignore his words. pic.twitter.com/epE9kcEDaQ
— Oladele Dada John (@realoladele) April 24, 2019
???? you see hen!!!! Our leaders are our problems. No curse attached but fact
— Timzzy-boywonder (@yungtimz) April 24, 2019
Some people don’t deserve to be in government!!!! ?
— Hon. Moshood Bakare (@hon_bakare) April 24, 2019