The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker has lamented the dearth of medical personnel in Nigeria saying Nigeria urgently needs 300,000 doctors to render effective medical services to Nigerians.
Coker said this at the International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition organized by Katherine Oxford Ltd in collaboration with Ace Medicine Clinics held at the Conference Centre, Covenant University, Ogun State.
The conference themed: ‘Mentoring in the Healthcare Sector for Sustainable Development,’ brought together medical doctors, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, nurses, and students, among others.
She said that out of the 80,000 registered doctors in Nigeria, about 40,000 are not in Nigeria, 8000 are in the United Kingdom and 4,000 are in America.
She said that the brain drain in the medical sector must be critically looked into by all stakeholders because our system urgently needs 300, 000 medical personnel to meet its health needs.
Coker, who has represented the Medical Director, Ota General Hospital, Dr. Somade Taofeek pointed out that the health care system is under considerable pressure and thus mentorship in the sector for suitability is apt and imperative.
She said a mentor is more than a coach, helps to build trust and model positive behavior, and must be dependable and tuned in to the needs of the mentor.
