President Bola Tinubu has received a fellowship from the West African College of Physicians and urged medical professionals across West Africa to develop practical solutions to the migration of skilled healthcare workers.

In a statement on Thursday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesperson, said Mr Tinubu received a fellowship from WACP.

According to him, this limits access to essential medical services, thereby increasing the workload on the available workforce.

He urged the College leadership to use their forthcoming conference to develop practical, sustainable solutions to the persistent challenge of medical brain drain across West Africa.

“We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else; you know, and with the outbreak of Ebola now we’re looking for a preventive action that will eliminate all these problems and infections. So, I wish you the best. As I pledge to behave myself, I will continue to do whatever I can do for this honourable profession,” the president said.

Mr Tinubu said his administration was committed to championing comprehensive health sector reforms to make healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable, and efficient for all Nigerians.

He commended health minister Ali Pate for driving the country’s health sector reforms and thanked the college leadership for considering him worthy of the honour.

The WACP conferred the fellowship on Mr Tinubu in recognition of his administration’s contributions to healthcare reforms and medical development in Nigeria.

According to the college’s president and chairman of its board of trustees, Mamadou Mourtala Ka, the fellowship recognises leaders who have made significant contributions to healthcare delivery across West Africa.

“This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in health care delivery and affected the health of the West African people,” he said.  

The college’s secretary-general, Musa Dankyau, said the decision to honour Mr Tinubu reflected his administration’s commitment to healthcare reforms.

Mr Dankyau said the college had awarded the fellowship only eight times in its 50-year history, including to former Gambian President Dawda Jawara and former Nigerian military dictator Ibrahim Babangida in 1991.

“So, this is the second time we are coming back to Nigeria to present to you, Mr President. The council has noted your significant contributions to health infrastructure, improved access to care and emergency care, and massive investments in primary health care and universal health coverage.

“At the last count, over $2.2 billion had been invested in that area for the health of the Nigerian people. We’ve also seen significant strides in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness. Just a couple of days back, the health minister had also announced that we are ready and prepared to face Ebola. And so, we were able to reassure our colleagues,” Mr Dankyau said.

The WACP delegation also informed Mr Tinubu that its 50th anniversary celebration and annual general scientific meeting would be held from October 26 to 28 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.