The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has called for increased budgetary allocation to the health sector to improve the quality of healthcare delivery in the country.
The President of NARD, Dr Innocent Orji, said this at the end of the three-day National Executive Council meeting of the association in Uyo on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting was tagged ‘Uyo 2023’ with the theme ‘Improved Welfare of Healthcare Workers: A Panacea for Brain Drain (Political and Doctors’ Perspectives).’
Orji, who said the increase should be to the tune of 15 per cent annual budgetary allocation, added that it would be in line with the 2001 Abuja declaration for healthcare financing in Africa and global best practices.
He said the NEC of NARD also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to expedite action on checking brain drain by implementing the “one for one” policy on replacement of exited doctors and clinical staff.
“NEC welcomes the committee set up by the Federal Government to mitigate the brain drain in the health sector.
“The association urges a speedy conclusion of the task and immediate implementation of their recommendations to improve healthcare service delivery and reduce emigration of skilled healthcare workers from the country.
