President Muhammadu Buhari made this known at the opening ceremony of the 56th Annual General Conference and delegates’ meeting of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) tagged “Sokoto 2016” held in the ancient city of Sokoto. President Buhari, who was represented by the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said “while this administration will not deny anyone of his or her fundamental human rights, we will certainly not encourage expending Nigerian hard earned resources on any government official seeking medical care abroad, when such can be handled in Nigeria.” President Buhari further called on the health professionals to discontinue with the inter-professional crises, which he said, had impacted negatively on the healthcare delivery system of the nation. “We have seen the hazards that this unfortunate and highly preventable problems have caused to the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria. May I employ members of NMA to always imbibe the spirit of team work to ensure harmonious relationship with other health professionals, no profession can effectively and efficiently function without the other,” he said. Speaking on the welfare of the health professionals, being one of the contentious issues in the sector, the President said, “government will review all previous agreements and take reasonable decisions that will not infringe on the right of the workers. This government will invest in programmes that will improve capacity of all cadres of health workers.” In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, represented by the Minister of State Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the theme of the event: “Doctors in Administrative Position in a Democratic Dispensation” was important now that Nigerians are demanding for competence, professionalism and quality healthcare. Professor Adewole said, “leadership in the health sector was not only limited to occupying the chief executive position, but also involves accepting challenging responsibilities. It also promotes team works tolerance and transparency in all dealings.” The Minister added that medical doctors should prepare to work in harmony with other healthcare professionals including those in administration, which according to him, would improve healthcare delivery system in the country.]]>