Brain drain: Reps’ bill prescribes five years compulsory local practice for doctors

A bill seeking to address brain drain by mandating Nigerian medical doctors to practice for a minimum of five years in the country before going abroad, has passed for second reading in the House of Representatives.

Leading the debate at plenary, the sponsor of the bill, Honourable Ganiu Johnson, says when passed into law, the bill will effectively stop the mass emigration of doctors out of the country.

Speaking in defence of the bill, Honourable Johnson says the Government invests so much money in training medical doctors. 

He also adds that something must be done in response to the healthcare visas provided by the United Kingdom, which has seen many doctors leaving for the UK, USA, Canada.