- Safiu Kehinde
Chairman and CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for collaboration between members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and their Nigerian doctors in the Diaspora.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call during a high-level meeting between the NiDCOM management and the NMA Executives at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by NiDCOM’s spokesperson Gabriel Odu, Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Ministry of Health, NMA, and Healthcare Providers in the Diaspora.
“Forget about criticism; Nigerian doctors are the best everywhere, and nobody can stop us.
“The world recognizes their brilliance, and it is time to harness this talent for the betterment of our country.
“Together, we can change the narrative.” The NiDCOM boss said.
She emphasized the Commission’s readiness to work collaboratively to build on existing structures, aiming to transform Nigeria’s healthcare sector through innovative partnerships and skill transfer.
On his part, Prof. Bala M. Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association, expressed profound appreciation for NiDCOM’s warm reception and lauded the Commission’s strides in engaging Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Highlighting the outcomes of the National Health Summit 2024, Prof. Audu noted its focus on scrutinizing healthcare policies and improving access to quality medical care in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the critical role played by Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad in advancing global healthcare systems and emphasized the need for a platform to facilitate interaction and collaboration between practitioners at home and abroad.
“With the right funding in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Nigeria can increase its production of medical supplies and enhance the healthcare system,” Prof. Audu stated.
He further underscored the importance of clinical governance in delivering standardized and satisfactory medical services to the population.
The NMA President also called for NiDCOM’s support in developing practical and implementable policies that will drive the transformation of the Nigerian healthcare system.
He highlighted the advantages of knowledge and skill transfer from the Diaspora, which could significantly impact Nigeria’s health sector.
The meeting concluded with a shared vision to promote a collaborative platform that bridges the gap between Nigerians at home and Diaspora Healthcare Professionals, fostering innovation and improving healthcare delivery across the Country.