The Federal Government has frowned at some medical doctors who flee the country after graduating from medical school without giving back in service to the country (Nigeria) they trained ‘for free’ at public expense.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige who disclosed this at the 2022 Budget Defence of his Ministry at the House of Representatives on Wednesday in Abuja therefore recommended bonding of medical workers to ensure that people did not leave the country at will after receiving training for free at public expense.

“Medical education in Nigeria is almost free. Where else in the world is it free? The Presidential Committee on Health should come with a proposal for bonding doctors, nurses, medical laboratory scientists and other health workers, so that they don’t just carry their bags and walk out of their country at will when they were trained at no cost.

We can make provisions for loans and you pay back. If government will train you for free, we should bond you. You serve the country for nine years before you go anywhere,” the Minister said in a statement issued by Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan.