‎The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has called for a radical restructuring of global health strategies, urging the international community to move away from “unsustainable” models of medical migration. ‎ ‎Speaking at the 2026 UK Global Health Summit at the Royal College of Physicians, Dr. Salako delivered a keynote address titled “Shaping Tomorrow’s Health, Together.” He argued that the current trend, where high-income nations reap the benefits of medical professionals trained at the expense of low-income countries, is neither just nor sustainable. ‎ ‎Dr. Salako highlighted that at least 150,000 Nigerian health professionals are currently working abroad. He described this group as a massive “reservoir” of skill, capital, and innovation that must be formally integrated into both Nigerian and global health frameworks. ‎ ‎To manage this, the Minister proposed a “Managed Migration Agreement.” This new compact would including; Bilateral Compensation: Financial or structural redress for source countries losing staff, Circular Migration: Pathways that allow doctors to gain experience abroad and return home with enhanced skills, Infrastructure Investment: Support from destination countries to build training facilities in the countries of origin. ‎ ‎Addressing the “push factors” that drive migration, Dr. Salako detailed the aggressive reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Notable achievements between 2023 and late 2025 including; A 160% increase in medical school admissions, Scaled-up training for nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists, Improved welfare and training conditions for resident doctors. ‎ ‎The introduction of “task-shifting” models to empower community health workers and pharmacy technicians. ‎ ‎On the financial front, Dr. Salako admitted that while Nigeria has recommitted to the Abuja Declaration—which mandates 15% of national budgets be allocated to health—the target remains a challenge for many African nations. ‎ ‎He called on international partners to move beyond traditional aid and toward “predictable and flexible” assistance, suggesting the use of health bonds, blended finance, and public-private partnerships to modernize digital health and infrastructure. ‎ ‎”The interdependence the pandemic revealed is not a weakness; it is a truth,” Salako stated. “No nation can solve the global health workforce crisis alone.” ‎ ‎The Minister concluded by advocating for a restructured global research ecosystem. He insisted that the perspectives and intellectual contributions of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) must be central to health innovation, rather than an afterthought. ‎ ‎”Let us shape tomorrow’s health with the courage to confront uncomfortable truths,” Dr. Salako urged. “Every life, wherever it is lived, is of equal and immeasurable worth.” ‎
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