Delta State government has cried out that the State loses up to 10 nurses and other medical experts every six months abroad because of what it termed ‘Japa Syndrome’.
It is no longer news that due to poor wages and poor healthcare facilities, doctors, nurses and other health specialists drift to oversea countries for greener pastures and we’ll equiped medical facilities.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, flanked by his counterpart in the ministry of information Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza and others on Wednesday March 13th 2024, briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, lamented that essential health workers drift out of the State because of Japa syndrome.
He said: “For example, you can employ 30 nurses a day, within six months, you lose like 10.
“We replace them immediately without approval from His Excellency, there is a standing approval in all the tertiary health institutions.
“A lot of our nurses and experts are lost abroad because of this ‘Japa’ syndrome”, he lamented.
He however noted: “His Excellency in his wisdom has approved the immediate replacement of vital essential health workers, doctors and nurses”.
Meanwhile, the State Executive Council has given approval for the equipment of 20 General hospitals across the State in line with Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare.
The State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, dropped the hint while taking his turn at the Post Exco briefing held at the Press Center, Government House, Asaba.
He disclosed that “There is approval for the upward review of the contract for the procurement of medical equipment at 20 General Hospitals in Delta State”.
Giving further clarifications on the approval, Dr. Onojaeme, who did not disclosed the actual sum approved while fielding questions from journalists on the approved amount, said that over N3 billion was approved for the equipment of the 20 General Hospitals.
He said the upgrade includes 20 to 40 single beds depending on the size of the hospital, theater beds, among others, adding that some of the equipment have been supplied and are already in use.
The General hospitals and their local government area includes Obiaruku, (Ukwuani LGA) Abraka (Ethiope East LGA), Ekpan (Uvwie LGA), Owa-Alero (Ika North East LGA), Okwe (Oshimili south LGA), Koko (Warri north LGA), Orerokpe (Okpe LGA), Otu-Jeremi (Ughelli south LGA), Burutu (Burutu LGA), Abavo (Ika South LGA).
Others are, Owa-Oyibu (Ika North East LGA), Issele-Uku (Aniocha north LGA), Ibusa (Oshimili north LGA), Aviara (Isoko south LGA), Onicha-Olona (Aniocha north LGA), Ofagbe (Isoko north LGA), Aboh (Ndokwa east LGA), Ashaka (Ndokwa east LGA), Kiagbodo (Burutu LGA), and Eku Baptist Government Hospital (Ethiope East LGA).
The approval for the upward review of the contract for the procurement of medical equipment is concentrated in 15 local government areas, leaving the other 10 of Ughelli north LGA, Sapele LGA, Warri south west LGA, Patani LGA, Ndokwa west LGA, Aniocha south LGA, Bomadi LGA, Udu LGA, Ethiope West and Warri south LGA, without explanations.
