Medical/Dental Bill: Reps propose three years imprisonment, N5m fine for non-compliance

A bill to prevent Nigerian-trained medical doctors or dental practitioners from being granted full licence until they have worked for a minimum of five years in the country has passed Second Reading on the floor of the House of Representatives.

In the bid to provide for punitive measures and ensure compliance, the bill, provides that: “Any persons, official, institutions or Corporate bodies that failed, refuses, or neglects to adhere to the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to three years imprisonment or a fine of N5 million.”

The private member bill, sponsored by Hon. Abiodun Johnson, seeks to amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M379, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 with a view to mandating any Nigeria-trained Medical or Dental Practitioner to practise in Nigeria for a minimum of 5 years before being granted a full licence by the Council in order to make quality health services available to Nigeria; and for related matters

In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, Hon. Johnson argued that it is only fair for medical practitioners who enjoyed taxpayer subsidies during their training, to “give back to the society” by working for a minimum number of years in Nigeria before exporting their skills abroad.

He said: “Government has invested so much money in training these medical doctors, on the average.

“Recently, United Kingdom opened healthcare visa to people, they were all going to UK, USA, Canada so should we fold our hands.

“So, to give back to our society after training you, the least we can get from you after your housemanship before you’re given full license you practice for 5 years before you can go.”

While majority of lawmakers supported the bill, quite a number of Members called for flexibility and options in the proposed law.

Speaking in support of the bill, Hon. Abdullahi Abdulkadir averred that the high rate of brain drain in Nigeria is truly alarming.

While commending Federal Government’s efforts to make the country conducive for medical and other professionals to practice, Hon. Abdulkadir stated that an option to pay back the government the money subsidized for the training of those yearning to leave before 5 years could be provided for into the Bill before they obtain their permanent licenses.

On his part, Hon. Bamidele Salam termed it unfortunate how other countries reap the harvest of Nigeria’s efforts in training such medical practitioners.

He therefore called for further development of Nigerian service conditions to make it more conducive for practitioners to practice in Nigeria.

In his own contribution,Hon. Amos Magaji stressed the need to declare a state of emergency in the health sector and provide the needed instruments for carrying out required treatments and surgeries so that the medical practitioners can be fulfilled in their practice.

Speaking against the intendment of the proposed bill,Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, argued that it was more like enslavement to tie a Doctor down for five years in Nigeria, post-graduation, before seeking employment in a foreign country.

Also speaking, Hon. Mark Gbillah called for the reworking of the Bill as it is not right for medical practitioners to work with temporary licenses.

He therefore called for a way of implementing the Bill without trampling on their fundamental rights to work where and when they see fit.

While ruling, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila observed that section 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) has provision for setting aside fundamental rights for the sake of the greater good.

The Bill was voted on, passed, read the second time and referred to the House Committee on Healthcare Services for further legislative action.