The Minister of State for Health, Ekumankama Nkama has bemoaned the dearth of medical practitioners in the country and insisted the dilemma is responsible for the hit the country’s health sector is experiencing.
Nkama said this at the opening of the labour ward, paediatric intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, and intensive care unit at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
Represented by the Director of the National Cancer Control Programme of the ministry, Dr David Atuwo, he said, “This ‘japa’ syndrome is adversely affecting services in our hospitals, to the extent that some wards are closed for lack of personnel to man them.
“The ministry is also working on a brain gain mechanism whereby our health professionals in the diaspora can be incentivised to come home and give paid expert service to our citizens. This is a win, win situation for the nation and our experienced medical professionals in the diaspora.
“I am glad the Head of Service is here in person as her office has been very cooperative. Let me thank her profusely for all her efforts in this regard. The full implementation of this initiative will ensure that services are maintained at the present level.”
As part of measures being deployed to tackle this unwanted streak, it was said that the Federal Ministry of Health with other government agents including the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is working very hard to ensure that exiting staff are replaced as soon and seamlessly as possible.
