The Minister of State for Well being, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Saturday, stated that the Federal Authorities had directed that well being staff going overseas to hunt greener pastures should henceforth resign their appointments earlier than embarking on such journeys.
Alausa stated the period of well being staff exiting to different nations in quest of higher affords after making use of for a depart of absence is not acceptable.
The minister stated that the ban on the depart of absence for well being staff emanated from the manager order issued by President Bola Tinubu as a part of drastic steps to fight the problem of mind drain fondly known as ‘Japa Syndrome’ confronting the nation’s well being sector.
That is simply as Alausa additionally revealed that the FG has commenced the manufacturing of manpower within the well being sector such that the annual enrolment of nurses which was once 28,000 is now 68,000 and that by the top of this 12 months, it could have gone as much as 120,000.
The minister acknowledged this on Saturday throughout his go to to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He stated that the President thought of the most important asset of the nation to be the individuals and has not solely vowed however has taken proactive actions to make sure the well being sector is in good condition in order that the well being of the residents gained’t undergo.
Talking on the problem of manpower shortages throughout the FG-owned well being establishments, Alausa stated, “The federal government just isn’t unmindful of the Japa impact on our manpower within the well being sector and the President has ordered for large manufacturing of manpower such that when individuals go, there’ll at all times be alternative.
“It’s towards this background that we’re working intensely on the enrolment of our nurses. What was once 28,000 is now 68,000 and our intention is to take it to 120,000 by the top of the 12 months, so there’ll at all times be plentiful expert manpower to take over from these leaving the job.
“We have now equally doubled our enrolment for docs, dentistry, pharmacists amongst others
“Once more, we didn’t say anybody who needs to maneuver or japa to the UK or Australia to take up appointments there shouldn’t go, it’s a free world.”
The minister continued, “Nonetheless, you can’t eat your cake and have it. In case you are going, simply resign your appointments with the Federal Authorities, reasonably than making use of for depart of absence, that’s the Presidential govt order that has been communicated to all of the Chief Medical Administrators of Federal Authorities-owned well being amenities to implement.
“The issue with the depart of absence is that such a fellow is on the market within the UK or Australia working, being profitable however his identify nonetheless seems on the fee roll of the federal government and so to switch him is tough as a result of he’s nonetheless being thought of as a workers whereas he has left the nation.
“So, to unravel this downside, the President has directed that well being staff going overseas to work ought to simply resign their appointments and never apply for depart of absence. This fashion, you gained’t be blocking others who need to work and naturally piling burdens to your colleagues that you just left behind.”
Responding to a number of the calls for of the hospital akin to elevated funding, infrastructural growth, amongst different welfare packages, Alausa stated that the ministry would go away no stone unturned to do all that’s crucial to enhance the fortunes of the well being sector within the nation.
Talking earlier, the Provost and Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Paul Agboola, lauded the Minister for his selflessness and keenness to show issues round for good within the well being sector.
The CMD stated that on account of the approval given by the Minister, his administration had began tasks such because the Institute of Psychiatric for the hospital which had been within the pipeline for about 40 years, amongst others.
