The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has expressed confidence that the mass emigration of healthcare professionals, popularly known as the “japa syndrome,” will soon subside.
Speaking during a working visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Monday, Salako credited this optimism to the focused reforms and policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed at strengthening the health sector.
“Within Nigeria’s economic realities, health workers are among the best-paid professionals,” Salako stated, adding, “However, beyond salary increases, we must cultivate a stronger sense of commitment and passion for the profession.”
He emphasized that improving doctors’ salaries alone would not resolve the challenges facing the healthcare sector. “If we increase doctors’ pay, other professionals, such as teachers, will also demand pay raises,” he explained.
Salako urged healthcare professionals to embrace patriotism and consider the long-term benefits of staying in the country. “East or West, home is best. No matter where you go outside your country, you remain a second-class citizen,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by tertiary hospitals, particularly in power supply, Salako praised UBTH for its innovative management of the issue. He pledged increased government funding for public hospitals, emphasizing, “Health is the essence of living, and adequate funding is key to addressing the sector’s challenges.”
The minister also linked the “japa syndrome” to broader economic issues, noting that it required a comprehensive approach. “With the policies in place, particularly those focused on capacity building, the tide will soon turn,” he said.
Prof. Darlington Obaseki, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, highlighted the severe staffing shortages at the hospital despite its reputation for affordable, high-quality care. “We currently have more than 500 patients but only 750 nurses working across three shifts. This is barely sufficient to cover the clinics, theatres, and inpatient care. We also have about 250 consultants and fewer than 300 resident doctors,” Obaseki said.
He called on the government to urgently address the shortage of healthcare workers to maintain the quality of service delivery.