JAPA: We can’t find doctors to employ – CMD cries out

Prof Isah Adagiri, Chief Medical Director (CMD), Kogi Specialist Hospital, on Wednesday lamented the dearth of Medical Doctors in the state, which he said, calls for concern and drastic measures.

The CMD, who cried out during the 2024 budget appraisal and projection on the floor of Kogi House of Assembly in Lokoja, attributed the scarcity on Japa syndrome.

Adagiri explained: “In spite of Gov Yahaya Bello’s standing approval to the management of Specialist Hospital to replace any medical doctor that leaves the service for greener pasture, the doctors are not forthcoming.”

“Many doctors have Japa, and despite our willingness to replace them by employing new ones, they are no where to be found.

“It’s no longer news that a lot of doctors are moving out of the country in droves for greener pastures, a situation, which is negatively telling on our services as a hospital.

“There are lots of disadvantages in the crave for greener pastures by these doctors, who do all they could to earn every Kobo being paid them.

“But because of patriotism, someone like me can’t imagine myself leaving the service to work out of the country,” he said.

The CMD disclosed that the Specialist Hospital recently lost a doctor, who left for Dubai to work, but died as a result of the hazards of working in a foreign country.

According to him, with a better welfare package, government could discourage and stop the Japa syndrome and allow for excellent health care delivery services in hospitals.

“For us, in specialist hospital, we always liaised with you, the House Committee on Health and Social Services, to get better welfare packages for our doctors.

“It’s my belief that better pay to our doctors will stop the syndrome and improve our service to residents of Kogi,” he said.

Similarly, the Chief Medical Director of Kogi State Hospital Management Board, Dr Ayo Olayemi, appealed for approval for the recruitment of health personnel in the newly built hospitals across the state.

Olayemi made the appeal while speaking to newsmen shortly after the 2024 budget appraisal of the Board on the floor of Kogi House of Assembly.

The CMD, who praised Gov Yahaya Bello for the building of the gigantic Reference Hospital in Okene and another fantastic one in Gegu-Beki, disclosed that the hospitals were grossly understaffed .

He disclosed that memos had been written by the board to the state government on the need for the staffing of the hospital and the board needed the help of the House to impress it on the executive to give approval for the recruitment of staff.

“Our major proposal for the year 2024 is our resolve to maintain all the medical facilities made available by Gov Bello, hence the need to renovate some of the hospitals yet untouched,” he said.