Abdulganiyu Johnson (APC-Lagos) says his bill seeking to bar Nigeria-trained medical doctors and dentists from travelling abroad to practise unless they have put in a minimum of five years in Nigeria is informed by the crisis in the nation’s health sector.

The lawmaker, who sponsored the bill, told journalists in Abuja on Thursday while clarifying the basis for the controversial bill.

The bill seeking to mandate Nigeria-trained medical and dental practitioners to practise for at least five years in the country before being granted full licence passed the second reading in the House of Representatives on April 6.

Mr Johnson, however, said the bill was not meant to prevent anyone from travelling abroad but to forestall a looming crisis in the health sector.

“Our population is more than 200 million, and the number of medical doctors we have is about 10,000. If care is not taken, maybe herbalists will have to take over and be treating our people. We have a crisis already, and how do we mitigate it?” he noted. “Let us increase the number of years they (doctors) will get their licences, and this is not to stop them from travelling abroad.”

The APC politician added, “The five years include their national service and housemanship period, which amounts to three years, and it is a way of promoting professionalism. You can register for your residency and engage in hospital services.”

Mr Johnson explained that by the time “they complete the three years they would have completed their residency, it will be a win-win for the country and the medical doctors.”

(NAN)