The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said on Saturday that the Federal Government has directed health workers seeking greener pastures abroad to resign their appointments before leaving.
Alausa declared the era of health workers using leaves of absence to secure better opportunities overseas is over.
The minister explained the ban on leave for health workers stemmed from an executive order by President Bola Tinubu. This order is part of drastic steps to combat the challenge of brain drain, also known as ‘Japa Syndrome,’ confronting the nation's health sector.
Alausa also revealed that the Federal Government has begun increasing manpower in the health sector. The annual enrollment of nurses, previously at 28,000, is now 68,000, and it's projected to reach 120,000 by year's end.
The minister made this statement during his Saturday visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He emphasized that President Tinubu considers the nation's people its greatest asset. The President has not only vowed but has also taken proactive actions to ensure a healthy and robust health sector for the citizenry.
Addressing the challenge of manpower shortages across federal health institutions, Alausa said, "The government is aware of the 'Japa effect' on our health sector workforce. The President has ordered a massive increase in manpower production. This ensures replacements are readily available when departures occur."
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