The Executive Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa says with the introduction of The Diaspora Professionals Healthcare Initiative (DPHI), a programme aimed at constructive and efficient collaboration between medical personnel at home and those in the Diaspora, the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria is in for a better deal making it more robust, accessible, affordable and effective especially in rural communities.
The NIDCOM Chairman disclosed this while making a special presentation on: National Health and Development Initiatives: Role of the Diaspora, at the 2019 Annual Scientific Convention and Assembly of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in thr Americas, ANPA at Capital Hilton, Washington DC United States of America. The occasion also marked 25th Anniversary of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas.
The DPHI is to among other things harness the abundant resources of highly skilled Nigerian Diasora healthcare practitioners and increase their participation in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its health systems and build abilities by placing Nigerian healthcare professionals from the Diaspora in volunteer positions in government tertiary and secondary level institutions and hospitals in Nigeria.
A statement by Mr. Gabriel Odu, Media Department NIDCOM further indicates that with the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission the issue of Brain Drain will be reversed to Brain Gain and more recently Brain Circulation and NIDCOM providing the needed platform, a one-stop-Commission for Diaspora matters.
Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa further said ANPA should restructure its medical missions making it more sustaining, enduring and well documented for posterity.
The NIDCOM Executive chairman concluded by reminding august assembly that the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission is established in tandem with the 3-point Agenda of the Buhari government in terms of National Security, Fighting Corruption and Economic Growth and Diversification.
She also identified the Nigerian Diaspora as part and parcel of the building blocs of accelerated economic prosperity using their resources, intellect, global exposure and aligning with home based professionals to get to the next level.
