VC suggests five-year bond for medical students to curb brain drain

Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, has proposed that medical students in government-owned institutions sign a five-year service bond with the Nigerian government before pursuing opportunities abroad after graduation. He emphasized that this would ensure that medical personnel, educated with government resources, contribute to the nation’s healthcare system.

Fatusi’s recommendation came during the Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists of Nigeria (ACAPN) 7th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting, held at UNIMED and concluded on October 21. He asserted that such a policy could help address the shortage of healthcare workers in the country.

Furthermore, Fatusi suggested that the government should improve welfare packages for health workers to ease their daily challenges and reduce stress. He stressed the importance of retaining healthcare professionals in the country to meet the growing healthcare demands.

The proposal aims to encourage medical graduates to serve the nation and ultimately reduce the brain drain of healthcare workers abroad.