Tunji Alausa, stated over the weekend that the Federal Government had decreed that healthcare personnel intending to relocate overseas for improved prospects must formally resign from their positions beforehand.
Alausa stressed that the practice of health workers seeking better offers abroad after applying for leave is no longer deemed permissible.
The minister explained that the prohibition of leave of absence for health workers stemmed from an executive order issued by President Bola Tinubu, as part of comprehensive measures to tackle the issue of brain drain, commonly referred to as the ‘Japa Syndrome,’ plaguing the nation’s healthcare sector.
Alausa also disclosed that the Federal Government has kicked off efforts to augment the workforce in the healthcare domain. He pointed out that the annual intake of nurses has risen from 28,000 to 68,000, with plans for further escalation to 120,000 by the close of the year.
This revelation was made by the minister during his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday.
He said that the President considered the biggest asset of the country to be the people and has not only vowed but has taken proactive actions to ensure the health sector is in good shape so that the health of the citizens won’t suffer.
Speaking on the challenge of manpower shortages across the FG-owned health institutions, Alausa 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.
Read also: Health Insurance Premiums Covered For 200 By Delta Legislator
“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.”
Addressing the hospital’s requests for enhanced funding, infrastructure upgrades, and improved welfare, Alausa assured that the ministry is committed to leaving no stone unturned in elevating the healthcare sector’s prospects across the nation.
Prior to this, Dr. Paul Agboola, the Provost and Chief Medical Director of the hospital, praised the Minister for his altruism and commitment to instigating positive transformations in the healthcare industry.
The CMD mentioned that, thanks to the Minister’s approval, his administration had commenced projects such as the Institute of Psychiatry for the hospital, a long-awaited endeavor that had been in the works for approximately 40 years, among other initiatives.