The Federal Government has put in place plans and strategies to double the population of medical and dental doctors from 5,000 to 10,000 starting from the next academic year by increasing admissions into medical and dental institutions.

This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. TUNJI ALAUSA at the induction ceremony of foreign-trained medical and dental graduates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, in Abuja.

Dr. ALAUSA said the mass exodus of licensed doctors and other health professionals to more developed countries would be discouraged by making the healthcare environment more attractive.

According to him, the just over 3,000 doctors produced annually in Nigeria remain grossly inadequate, hence, the need to double the rate of production of health workers.

The minister also said the ministry would continue to advocate more funding for the health sector and increase the value chain to attract more international grants and funding.