The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa on Saturday announced that the Federal Government has mandated health workers seeking opportunities abroad to resign before leaving.
Alausa emphasized the end of the practice where health workers applied for leave and later pursued better prospects in other countries.
The directive, stemming from an executive order by President Bola Tinubu, aims to address the ‘Japa Syndrome’ or brain drain affecting the nation’s health sector.
Additionally, Alausa disclosed that the government is increasing manpower in the health sector, with annual nurse enrollment rising from 28,000 to 68,000, expected to reach 120,000 by year-end.
The minister highlighted the President’s commitment to safeguarding the health sector and ensuring the well-being of the citizens during his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Speaking on the challenge of manpower shortages across the FG-owned health institutions, the minister said:
“The government is not unmindful of the Japa effect on our manpower in the health sector and the President has ordered for massive production of manpower such that when people go, there will always be replacement.
“It is against this background that we are working intensely on the enrolment of our nurses. What used to be 28,000 is now 68,000 and our intention is to take it to 120,000 by the end of the year, so there will always be abundant skilled manpower to take over from those leaving the job.
“We have equally doubled our enrolment for doctors, dentistry, pharmacists among others
“Again, we didn’t say anyone who wants to move or japa to the UK or Australia to take up appointments there should not go, it is a free world.”
The minister continued, “However, you cannot eat your cake and have it. If you are going, just resign your appointments with the Federal Government, rather than applying for leave of absence, that is the Presidential executive order that has been communicated to all the Chief Medical Directors of Federal Government-owned health facilities to implement.
“The problem with the leave of absence is that such a fellow is out there in the UK or Australia working, making money but his name still appears on the payment roll of the government and so to replace him is difficult because he is still being considered as a staff whereas he has left the country.
“So, to solve this problem, the President has directed that health workers going abroad to work should just resign their appointments and not apply for leave of absence. This way, you won’t be blocking others who want to work and of course piling burdens for your colleagues that you left behind.”
