Experts task FG on brain drain, loss of foreign earnings

By Lanre Adesanya

Medical experts have counseled the Nigerian government on proactive measures, to address the brain drain and attendant loss of foreign earnings, owing to the absence of efficient and effective health sector.

The Principal Consultant High Beam Global (HBG) Medical Assistance, Varun Aggarwal and lead partners of Fortis Hospital Dr.Sonal Pahwa, cited lack of regular medical check-ups as the bane of healthcare business in the country.

They said it while making presentations at the dinner organized by FORTIS and HBG at the Hotel Intercontinental Lagos, tagged “Adding Friendship to Healthcare”.

Dr. Sonal noted that for better and cost effective delivery of health services, the Nigerian government needs to partner with the best healthcare giver in India-Fortis and HBG, in the aspect of capacity building and technological advancement leverages.

“Nigeria need to do what India did ten years back, they need to get back home their Doctors who are  abroad making waves.

“At least over 4,000 Doctors of Nigerian Origin are abroad. Let the government ensure the Doctors trained and certificated here stays to practice, also produce and develop more doctors, with that Nigeria can become a medical tourist centre”.

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Dr.Abhik Moitra,President and Director HBG who made an overview of the body’s scope operation noted that, “operations abroad ought to be a last resort for precarious medical cases, but now a common trend due to lack of local capacity building,we bring the needed expertise and technological upscaling opportunity down here to improve Nigeria’s health sector.

Hon. Segun Olulade member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe constituency II and also Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, speaking with newsmen after the dinner noted that regular medical check-ups  is important for all Nigerians.

He said that this would lead to early detection of ailment and treatment before it festers further.

“I want to encourage Nigerians and most especially Lagosians to always do regular medical check-ups, it is important that we do it. Health is paramount to every man no matter what goals and attainments we desire.

“Many of the ailments if detected early will cost less to treat, Lagos is already coming up with a medical pact, what we need from the Fortis and HBG is capacity building and technological expertise partnership.”Said Olulade