The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has expressed confidence that the mass emigration of healthcare professionals, widely known as the “japa syndrome,” will soon decline due to ongoing reforms in the health sector.
Speaking during a working visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Monday, Salako attributed his optimism to the policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed at strengthening the healthcare system.
“Within Nigeria’s economic realities, health workers are among the best-paid professionals,” he noted, emphasizing that financial incentives alone would not resolve the sector’s challenges.
He stressed the need for a renewed sense of commitment and passion among healthcare professionals.
Salako also cautioned that raising doctors’ salaries without a broader economic strategy could trigger similar demands across other professions.
“If we increase doctors’ pay, other professionals, such as teachers, will also demand pay raises,” he explained.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by tertiary hospitals, particularly in power supply, he commended UBTH for its efforts in managing the issue and pledged the government’s commitment to improving funding for public hospitals.
“Health is the essence of living, and adequate funding is key to addressing the sector’s challenges,” he stated.
The minister linked the “japa syndrome” to wider economic concerns, asserting that ongoing policies focused on capacity building and systemic reforms would help stem the trend. “With the policies in place, the tide will soon turn,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, highlighted the severe staffing shortages at the hospital despite its reputation for affordable, high-quality care.
He revealed that with over 500 patients, the hospital operates with just 750 nurses spread across three shifts, alongside approximately 250 consultants and fewer than 300 resident doctors.
Obaseki urged the government to take urgent action to address the shortage of healthcare professionals to maintain service quality and efficiency.