Yusuf Oketola
THE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Osun State Chapter, has lamented that the state health sector is suffering serious decline in personnel as a result of doctors leaving Nigeria for greener pastures abroad, popularly known as ‘Japa’.
Chairman of the NMA in the State, Dr. Adetoye Adedapo, stated that shortage of medical doctors and poor salary is a major problem facing the health sector in the state, as well as Nigeria.
Adedapo stated this at the State House of Assembly while carrying out medical test on some staff members of the assembly as part of the activities marking 2023 Osun NMA Annual General Meeting.
The medical practitioner sought the support of the state lawmakers for improved welfare package for health workers.
He said if doctors are well remunerated in the state, others from neighboring states would be encouraged to work in Osun.
Adedapo lamented that medical personnel in Osun did not enjoy the kind of support and empowerment that their colleagues in Lagos are enjoying, noting that Lagos doctors have 50 per cent of the government support.
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He said: “Though Governor Adeleke has been supportive which makes us not to join the nationwide strike, we seek more support from lawmakers.
“We are badly affected by the Japa syndrome in Osun and we want to solicit your (lawmakers) support. We will bring a letter to the house later on areas we need your intervention.”
Speaking, the Speaker of the assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, promised to look into the doctor’s demands, asking the medical personnel to present their demands in a written form so that the house can look into it.
Egbedun appreciated the doctors for extending their medical outreach to the State Assembly.
He said: “The major challenge the country is having now is the Japa syndrome, so I will encourage you to come with a proposal, then we present it to the governor so that we can come up with solutions.”
