Kwara State Government says it has put measures in place to discourage the surge in migration of medical practitioners from the state to other countries, in search of better means of livelihoods.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam stated this, when she received the National leadership of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, in Ilorin.
According to her the present administration has approved the payment of Medical Residency Training Fund and other incentives, to encourage those who want to stay back.
Dr El-Imam explained that the state government is working tirelessly to ensure that all medical practitioners excel in their chosen career, in order to stem the tide of “Japa Syndrome” in the state.”
The commissioner appealed to the visiting body, to recognize the efforts of the Governor by prevailing on members of the association, to be patient with the current administration and remain hopeful, adding that, “other few obstacles are surmountable.”
For his part the National President, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Professor Mohammad Aminu, commended the State government for building and remodeling medical facilities to enhance delivery of quality healthcare services.
The medical expert who acknowledged that the issue of human resources shortage is a general problem, noting that a deliberate efforts should be made to stem the tide.
Professor Aminu also appealed to government to “work hard in order to reverse the “Japa Syndrome,”