The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has hailed the recent launch of a groundbreaking Respiratory Therapy training programme initiated by a group of Nigerian medical professionals in the Diaspora.
The Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave the commendation through Mrs. Violet Nwosu, Assistant Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols, described the initiative as a timely intervention that aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its healthcare system.
“This training not only fills a critical gap in respiratory healthcare services, but also enhances professional development opportunities for Nigerian medical practitioners,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives by Nigerians in the Diaspora, emphasizing their role in driving sustainable national development.
President of the US/Africa Chamber of Commerce, Dr. (Sir) Joe Madu, also lent his support, noted that such Diaspora-led interventions could revive Nigeria’s healthcare sector by encouraging brain circulation and promoting medical tourism.
He urged stakeholders to adopt innovative strategies and foster collaborations that will ensure a resilient and efficient healthcare delivery system.
On his part, Dr. Gbenga Agbelemose, Associate Director of Respiratory Therapy Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, USA, described the programme as the first of its kind in Nigeria. He said the training targets healthcare professionals in fields like anaesthetics, cardiology, and respiratory care, and will also enable physiotherapists to transition into respiratory therapy.
However, Dr. Agbelemose stressed the need for more awareness, better funding, supportive policies, and an update of Nigeria’s health education curriculum to international standards, for respiratory therapy to thrive.
In his remarks, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA), commended the initiative and expressed the State Government’s readiness to collaborate with the Diaspora team to improve healthcare services in the state.
The training initiative is being championed by the Association of Respiratory Care Therapists of Nigeria and is aimed at institutionalizing and expanding respiratory therapy practice across the country.
