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The Nigerian Medical Forum sees the BMJ's Nigerian edition as a unique opportunity to fulfil one of its main objectives-the relief of sickness by advancing and sustaining medical education, training, and public health in Nigeria and other west African countries.
The forum was formed in 1991 to operate and serve as a medium for sending much-needed books, journals, equipment, and expertise to medical institutions all over Nigeria. The pioneer members realised that while the military political problems of Nigeria remained unsolved, vital social services such as healthcare delivery will regrettably be starved of financial and other resources. Every health statistic continues to deteriorate. The shelves in the medical libraries are empty or harbour outdated texts. Doctors, health professionals, and planners have little access to current literature and miss being part of the ongoing global revolution in science and technology which has made possible the advances in healthcare delivery that a decade ago were beyond the wildest dreams of society.
Historically, Nigerian doctors returned home by the first available transport after specialisation in Europe or America, but today there is no return home by these highly skilled and devoted professionals. The reason for this emigration varies, but perhaps the most widely cited is the lack of the tools to practise one's skills in the Nigeria of today. However, as the world becomes smaller and smaller, thanks to modem technology, it becomes possible for Nigerians in the diaspora to make constructive contributions to Nigeria's health care.
At present doctors and other health professionals in Nigeria are largely cut off from the revolution in global exchange of...