VP Sen Kashim Shettima has urged doctors to stay back in the country and join hands with the government to salvage the nation.
Shettima made the appeal on Tuesday, June 11, when the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association, led by its newly elected President, Prof. Bala Audu, paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.
In a statement released on Wednesday, June 12, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President cautioned against the recent surge in a phenomenon colloquially referred to in the local parlance as the “Japa Syndrome”.
He urged them to resist the temptation of absconding without flashing a ray of hope as President Bola Tinubu has their interest at heart. Shettima also said that Tinubu has a lot of empathy for medical doctors who have chosen to stay back at home despite juicy offers abroad.
He said;
“Remain steadfast and resist the temptation of offering their services in foreign lands. In President Tinubu, you have an ally who will stand by you at all times.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has Nigerian doctors at heart. He has a lot of empathy for our medical doctors who have opted to stay put at home, not for lack of offers.”
On the challenges facing them in the country, VP Shettima commended the giant strides of Nigerian doctors, and their sacrifices in the service of the nation, especially in repositioning healthcare delivery.
He added;
“Let us stay back and salvage this nation together, this is our country and the greatest black nation on earth, and a promising nation that we need to invest in.
“The NMA is one of the most prestigious, preeminent associations in this country. We must commend you for the sacrifices you are making and for staying put in this nation.
“All hope is not lost because Nigerian doctors are making giant strides, recording milestones in the profession and, most importantly, making tremendous sacrifices to serve this nation.”
Shettima further asked the NMA to encourage young doctors, to specialise in key disciplines of medical practice and also check the activities of quacks in the profession.
