The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, (MDCAN), has rejected the new bill to stop newly trained Nigerian doctors from traveling outside the country.
According to MDCAN: “We hereby convey our total rejection of the Bill and pray that it should be thrown out completely.”
The proposed legislation which has passed the second reading at the lower chamber of the National Assembly seeks to stop fresh Nigerian medical professionals from seeking greener pastures abroad.
According to the bill sponsored by Hon. Abiodun Ganiyu Johnson, the aim was to make it mandatory for fresh medical graduates to provide services to Nigeria for up to five years before receiving a full registration and license to practice.
However, in a statement jointly signed by the President of MDCAN, Dr. Victor Makanjuola and General Secretary, Dr. Yemi Raji, stated that the bill was not only discriminatory and harsh, but also against the interest of the people.
The doctors said the bill violates the constitution of Nigeria, as Section 34 (1) b states that, “no person shall be held in slavery or servitude” while section 34 (1) (c) states that, “no one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
The statement added: “We received with a rude shock the news of a bill purporting to make it mandatory for fresh medical graduates to provide services to Nigeria for up to five years before receiving a full registration and license to practice.
“This proposal is such that they would not be able to leave the country until after five years post qualification. It is even more worrisome that the bill has passed through the second reading.”
It stated that what the proposed legislation may achieve if passed into law would be to increase the pool of unemployed and disenchanted Nigerians rather than providing solution to the problem of exodus of medical professionals.
MDCAN said that it has along with sister associations in the health sector, provided to the appropriate agencies of government both useful and practical suggestions on how to remedy the situation but that none heeded such advice.
