Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Agency Report
Published on 2024-03-10 06:51:06
The federal government has implemented a ban on health professionals taking leave of absence when relocating abroad, requiring them to resign before seeking opportunities in other countries. This directive, outlined in an Executive Order issued by President Bola Tinubu, aims to address the issue of brain drain, commonly referred to as ‘Japa Syndrome’, in the health sector.
The Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, announced this decision during his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, emphasizing the importance of retaining healthcare workers in Nigeria. To further support this objective, the government has initiated a robust recruitment drive within the health sector, increasing the annual enrollment of nurses from 28,000 to 68,000 with plans to raise it to 120,000 by the end of the year.
President Tinubu recognizes the value of human resources in the country and has prioritized measures to enhance the healthcare system for the benefit of the populace. In response to concerns about workforce shortages, the government is actively hiring personnel across various healthcare professions, including nurses, doctors, dentists, and pharmacists.
Despite the prohibition on taking leave of absence, individuals are free to pursue opportunities in countries like the UK or Australia, provided they formally resign from their positions in the Nigerian government. This measure aims to prevent situations where healthcare professionals continue to receive salaries from the government while working abroad, thus hindering local employment opportunities.
Minister Alausa reassured the public that the government is committed to improving healthcare funding, infrastructure, and welfare for workers. The ministry aims to address these challenges to elevate the quality of healthcare services in the country. He lauded the efforts of healthcare institutions like the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Aro in providing exceptional care to Nigerians.
Under the leadership of Provost and Chief Medical Director Paul Agboola, the hospital has undertaken several new projects, including the development of a 40-bed mother-and-child unit. Agboola expressed gratitude for the minister’s support and pledged to maintain the hospital’s status as a global center of excellence in neuro-psychiatry.
By aligning recruitment practices with the resignation of health professionals seeking opportunities abroad, the government aims to balance the retention of skilled individuals with the promotion of employment opportunities within the local healthcare sector. This strategic approach seeks to strengthen the healthcare system and improve access to quality care for all Nigerians.
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