Due to the growing immigration syndrome, the Minister of State for Health, Ekumankama Nkama, has complained about the acute shortage of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals in government hospitals at all levels (local, state, and federal), including tertiary health institutions.
At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital's weekend inauguration of the bedded Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, and Labor Ward, the minister made these remarks.
According to Nkama, the effects of brain drain and work overload are creating an acute shortage of health professionals at LUTH and other tertiary health institutions.
“This ‘japa’ syndrome is adversely affecting services in our hospitals, to the extent that some wards are closed for lack of personnel to man them,” he stated, represented by the ministry's Director, National Cancer Control Program, Dr. David Atuwo.
Nkama added that the Administrative Service of Wellbeing with other government specialists including the workplace of the Top of the Common Help of the Alliance is striving to guarantee that leaving staff is supplanted as soon and consistently as could be expected.
“The ministry is also working on a brain gain mechanism that would encourage our diaspora health professionals to return to our country and provide paid expert services to our citizens. Both the nation and our skilled diaspora medical professionals stand to benefit from this.
“Her office has been very cooperative, so I am glad the Head of Service is here in person. Allow me to say thanks to her lavishly for every one of her endeavors in such manner. Services will be maintained at their current level if this initiative is fully implemented.
The minister went on to say that the launch of the three projects shows how hard the LUTH staff and Board of Management have worked over the years to achieve this success.
He said that the projects were a testimony and a source of pride, especially for the Chief Medical Director who was leaving.