The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday, passed through second reading a bill to mandate medical doctors to practise in Nigeria for at least five years before moving abroad if they want.
The bill is part of the measures to halt the increasing number of medical doctors leaving Nigeria for other countries in search of ‘greener pastures.’
The majority of lawmakers supported the bill, though a number of them called for flexibility and options in the envisaged law.
One member, Rep. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, opposed the bill on the grounds 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.
However, a majority voice vote passed the bill for second reading.
