CMD decries dearth of Medical Doctors in Kogi, blames “Japa Syndrome”

***Despite approval to replace them, they’re no where to be found

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

CHIEF Medical Director of Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Prof. Isah Yahaya Adagiri has decried the dearth of medical Doctors in the state saying that despite approval to replace them, they’re no where to be found.

Prof. Adagiri who disclosed this during budget appraisal and projection on the floor of Kogi State House of Assembly in Lokoja attributed the scenario to brain drain resulting directly from “Japa Syndrome.”

He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for giving a standing approval to the management of Specialist Hospital to replace any Medical Doctor that leaves the service.

The CMD however regretted that said despite the willingness of the State Government to replace or employ new ones, “they are no where to be found.”

He stated that while a lot of Doctors were moving out of the country in droves for greener pastures, “There are lots of disadvantages in it as such workers work their ass out to earn every Kobo paid them.”

He said he could not imagined himself leaving the service to work out of the country because his corpse would be brought home.

Adagiri lamented that Kogi State Specialist Hospital recently lost a Doctor who left for Dubai to work, adding that his death could be attributed to the hazards of working in a foreign country.

The CMD noted that the hospital always liaised with the House Committee on Health and Social Services to get better welfare packages for Doctors, he advised better pay to stop the syndrome.

Speaking in same vein, the Chief Medical Director of Kogi State Hospital Management Board (HMB), Dr Ayo Olayemi called on the state government to give approval for recruitment of health personnel and staff in the newly established hospitals across the State.

Olayemi who lauded Governor Yahaya Bello’s initiative for the building of the gigantic Reference Hospital in Okene and another “fantastic one” in Gegu-Beki, noted that the hospitals are grossly under staffed.

He said that memos had been sent by the Board to the State Government on the need for proper staffing of the hospitals and urged the House to help impress on the Executive, the need to give approval for the recruitment of staff.

The CMD said the major proposal and projection for the year 2024 for the Health Sector should be focused on the need to maintain all the medical facilities established by Governor Bello and the need to renovate some of the hospitals yet untouched. (Ends)