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A Bill for an Act to Amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M379, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to mandate any Nigeria trained Medical or Dental Practitioner to Practice in Nigeria for a Minimum of Five (5) before granted a full licence by the Council in order to make Quality health Services available to Nigerians.
The Mover of the motion, Hon.Ganiyu Johnson representing Oshodi- Isolo 2 Federal Constituency, Lagos said the Bill seeks to save Nigeria from the current brain drain in the medical sector.
He stated that as the government invests much in training the medical personnel in study subsidies, such investments should be protected.
Rep. Nkem Abonta while speaking against the Bill stated that what it seeks is detrimental to the free will of intended medical practitioners to choose where to practice. He called for the choice of where to practice to remain optional.
Meanwhile majority of the members supported the Bill in its entirety.
Hon. Abdullahi Abdulkadir from BAUCH in supporting the Bill stated that the high rate of brain drain in Nigeria is truly alarming.
He commended the Federal government for its efforts to make the country conducive for medical and other professionals to practice.
Hon.Abdulkadir stated that an option to pay back the government the money subsidized for the training of those yearning to leave before 5 years could be injected into the Bill before they obtain their permanent licenses.
On his part, Hon. Bamidele Salam said it unfortunate how other countries reap the harvest of Nigeria’s efforts in training such medical practitioners.
He called for the further development of Nigerian service conditions to make it more conducive for practitioners to practice in Nigeria.
Hon.Amos Magaji in his contribution stated that there is a need to declare a state of emergency in the health sector and provide the needed instruments for carrying out required treatments and surgeries so that the medical practitioners can be fulfilled in their practice.
While making his point, Hon.Mark Gbillah called for the reworking of the Bill as it is not right for medical practitioners to work with temporary licenses.
He called for a way of implementing the Bill without trampling on the fundamental rights of the medical practitioners to work where and when they choose to.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila stated that the Nigerian Constitution in section 45(1) has a provision for setting aside fundamental rights for the sake of the greater good.
The Bill was voted on, passed, read the second time and referred to the House Committee on Healthcare Services.
