The Nigerian House of Representatives is considering a bill that would require medical and dental practitioners who trained in Nigeria to practice in the country for a minimum of five years before being granted a full license to practice abroad.
The proposed law aims to reduce the number of doctors who leave Nigeria to seek better job opportunities abroad. The bill has passed its second reading, but some lawmakers have suggested flexible options, while one member of the House opposed it, arguing that it amounted to forced labor. The bill still has several stages to go through before it becomes law.
It was titled “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 Practise in Nigeria for a Minimum of Five (5) before being granted a full licence by the Council in order to make Quality health Services available to Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB.2130).”
The proposed bill suggests that medical and dental practitioners who were trained in Nigeria should serve a minimum of five years in the country before being granted full licenses.
The aim of this bill is to reduce the number of doctors who leave Nigeria to seek better job opportunities abroad.
Johnson believes that it is justifiable for medical professionals who have received government funding to contribute to the country’s healthcare system for a specified period before moving to other countries.
Although some lawmakers suggested flexible options in the proposed law, the majority of them, however, supported the bill. One member of the House, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, opposed the bill, arguing that it amounted to forced labour. Despite this opposition, the bill passed for a second reading through a majority voice vote.
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