NIGERIANS LAMBAST NGIGE OVER COMMENT ON DOCTORS

The Minister in an interview with a television station was quoted saying, “No, I am not worried about doctors leaving the country, we have a surplus. If you have a surplus, you export. It happened some years ago here’.

 ‘I was taught chemistry and biology by Indian teachers in my secondary school days. There is a surplus in their country, and we also have a surplus in the medical profession in our country. I can tell you this. In my area, we have excess.I know a couple of them who practise abroad but set up medical centres back home. They have a CAT scan, MRI scan which even the government cannot maintain. So, I don’t see any lo

“Who said we don’t have enough doctors? We have more than enough. You can quote me. There is nothing wrong in them travelling out. When they go abroad, they earn money and send them back home here. Yes, we have foreign exchange earnings from them and not just oil.”

Penpushing further reports that, Ngige said brain drain would only be inimical ”when, for instance, Neuro-Surgeons travel and we don’t have Neuro-Surgeons here”.

However, participants lamented that Ngige’s comment,  speaks volumes of the caliber of leadership the country parades, pointing out that, ‘even the WHO had alluded to the inadequacies of ratio of health personal required to service citizenry in developing Countries and Nigeria is a culprit’.

‘This is a very sad commentary. If a whole Federal Minister  could only postulate on serious issue as health, without any basic reference to verifiable statistics, it speaks volumes of the caliber of leadership we parade in this country’, a participant said.

‘Even the WHO had alluded to the inadequacies of ratio of health personal required to service citizenry in developing Countries and Nigeria is a culprit. As far back as 2016, Nigeria has less than 40,000 Medical Doctors to service a growing population of over 170 Million; a disproportionate ratio of about 3.0% to 1000 citizenry. So, where did the Minister of Labour got his facts/figures’.

‘The brain drain in this sector is more economical vis -a-vis social. The health profession generally strives (in terms of Naira & Kobo) in developed economy couple with availability of appropriate/modern tools to practice with’.

Penpushing further reports that, Nigerians warned the Minister to desist from toying with the health sector of the country, noting that it was becoming characteristic of him, stating that, it was unfortunate that Ngige is a Medical Doctor.

‘The Minister should not dance round serious issues of health of the people by being economical with the truth. It’s becoming very characteristic of him. Ngige is himself a deserter from the Medical profession. He has left practice for the more lucrative field of politics’

‘He is giving the final shot before he is booted out of office. It is unfortunate if this statement is true.It is painfully true. I watched him this morning!  Reckless statement from public servant. We have problems in this country. Public officers say whatever they like and get away with it. This kind of statement merits immediate sack from office’.

‘They are reckless, uncaring and detached from the people and reality on ground because the people matter less in the affairs of the nation. Don’t be surprised if he makes a list of yet another rewarding appointment’.

‘I assume Ngige should be making a personal statement which for all intents and purposes is reckless. I think it would have been better if the Federal Government is not brought into this, even though, Ngige is a Minister. In a sane clime, he should be sacked immediately’, a participant declared.