The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled plans to construct 10,000 housing units specifically for healthcare professionals under the Renewed Hope Medic City mass housing project. This initiative aims to address the alarming rate of emigration among medical workers, commonly referred to as the 'Japa syndrome'.
The announcement was made during a stakeholders' interactive engagement meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, which brought together the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and representatives from various health professional associations and unions.
Dr. Aliyu Oroji Wammako, Chairman of the initiative, emphasized that the project is being championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and implemented by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa.
"Nigeria's healthcare sector is at a critical crossroads. Over the years, we have witnessed an alarming exodus of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel seeking better opportunities abroad. This brain drain continues to weaken our healthcare system and deprives the nation of vital expertise needed to build a healthier and more resilient future," Wammako stated.
He further described the initiative as "not just a housing project, but a national commitment to honouring those who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others," adding that it reflects President Tinubu's vision of Renewed Hope where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive regardless of profession.
Prince Akintoye Adeoye, President and Chairman of REDAN, characterized the initiative as a landmark effort to provide affordable and dignified housing for healthcare professionals nationwide. He noted that medical workers, as significant contributors to the National Housing Fund, deserve priority in housing delivery efforts to help retain talent in the sector.
The National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Housing Initiative for Medical and Healthcare Workers, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Sadiq, revealed alarming statistics about the healthcare brain drain, stating that approximately 15,000 nurses left Nigeria in 2023 alone, while the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria reported that 5,208 pharmacists have emigrated in the last five years.
Dr. Sadiq emphasized that the initiative would be demand-driven to ensure effective planning and allocation. "We have a responsibility to monitor and evaluate the implementation to ensure that structural standards are upheld. These houses will be allocated to qualified beneficiaries through a smooth and transparent process," he said.
The housing initiative is expected to offer mortgage rates that are five times lower than the 30% per annum charged by some commercial institutions, making homeownership more accessible to healthcare professionals and potentially stemming the tide of emigration from Nigeria's critical healthcare sector.
