The Nigerian Government has rubbished a bill proposed by the National Assembly, which suggests that medical and dental practitioners trained in Nigeria must work in the country for a minimum of five years before being granted full licenses.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Labour Dr. Chris Ngige, stressed that the bill cannot prevent anyone from obtaining a full license.
The bill, which passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on April 7 was sponsored by Honourable Ganiyu Johnson (APC/Lagos) and aims to address the issue of brain drain in the Nigerian health sector.
However, Ngige argued that there are alternative measures to tackle brain drain and described the proposed bill as impractical.
According to Ngige, “the bill’s provision to delay the granting of a full license for five years contradicts the existing laws governing the progression in the practice of medicine.”
As a medical doctor himself, he voiced his opposition to the bill, stating, “I don’t support that bill.”
Ngige highlighted the process of medical practice progression, stating that after graduating from medical school, individuals undergo a one-year apprenticeship known as horsemanship or internship.
Upon completion of the internship, they receive a full license from the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), which enables them to practice medicine independently without supervision.
He stressed the bill’s provision for delaying full licensure contradicts this established progression.
The Minister further explained that resident doctors already possess full licenses and are pursuing post-graduate specializations such as surgery, gynaecology, obstetrics, paediatrics, internal medicine, or family medicine.
These doctors undergo training and supervision in their chosen specialities.
