Kwara govt cries out over doctors shortage amid ‘japa’ syndrome

The Kwara State Government has expressed concern over the shortage of medical doctors across its health facilities, blaming the situation on the ongoing brain drain, popularly known as “japa.”

Speaking at a ministerial press briefing organised by the Ministry of Communication, the Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Abdulraheem Abdulmalik, said the state has been unable to find doctors to employ despite receiving approval from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to recruit new medical personnel.

“We have the approval of His Excellency to recruit doctors, but we can’t find doctors to recruit.

“Doctors are hot cakes now. If a doctor resigns in the morning, he’ll get another job that same afternoon,” Abdulmalik said.

According to him, the state currently has 99 medical doctors, far below the 180 to 200 required to adequately serve its hospitals, with only 96 on the government payroll.

He noted that the recent salary increase for doctors in the state had encouraged three doctors who had earlier left to return to service.

“After the salary increase, three doctors who had ‘japa’ came back. We’re expecting more soon, but we still need between 180 and 200 doctors,” he added.

AbdulMalik said the shortage was more severe in rural areas, where attracting and retaining health workers has become increasingly difficult.

He revealed that the board is working on improved incentives and remuneration packages to encourage doctors to stay.

To enhance hospital efficiency, he disclosed that the board is developing a software application that will allow patients to check the number of available doctors in the state’s 45 health facilities at any given time.

The initiative aims to reduce long waiting times and prevent emergencies caused by delays in accessing care.

The executive secretary also announced a doctor retention scheme designed to address the shortage in the long term.

“We’ve proposed a plan where the state government will sponsor medical students for a year or two, and in return, they’ll work for the state for the same number of years after graduation.

“This will help close the doctor gap,” he explained.

He said the initiative would take effect in about three to four years, starting with medical students in their clinical level (400 level), to ensure a sustainable supply of doctors for the state’s health system.