By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has denied endorsement of a faction of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE).
If you recall, a video of a meeting with the Minister of state of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako made rounds, as proof of endorsement by the Ministry. The Ministry has stated categorically, that it is in fact not true.
According to the Ministry, Nurses Across Borders (NAB), an NGO group of nurses in diaspora who has been partnering with the Diaspora Unit of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare reached out to the Ministry, following the development of Migration policy and implementation plan. They brought some foreign partners to showcase how they plan to assist in managing migration for Nigerian healthcare workers as done in some countries in the Middle East and Philippines.
And, in the course of presentation to the Minister of State for Health, Nurses across Borders representatives came with some Nigerians in diaspora including some individuals who introduced themselves as representing NIDO Europe, expressing interest to partner with NAB in developing a mechanism for ethical migration of Nigerian Health workers.
To this end, the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare re-affirmed, that it will consider working with reputable and experienced private organizations to develop a framework that will ensure ethical migration of Nigerian Health workers for the mutual benefit of Nigeria and the migrating health workers.
The Ministry further stated in a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director/Head, Information & Public Relations, that the Ministry is guided by the core value of working for the best interest of Nigerian health workers including those in diaspora without interfering with internal affairs of the Organizations such health workers might belong.
“We will keep upholding plans and strategy to improve the Nigerian health sector by harnessing all material and human resources including those provided by Nigerians in Diaspora.”
