The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State branch has commended the commitment of it’s members to work despite ‘Japa Syndrome’ bedevilling medical system in the country, calling on medical doctors to look for ways to be self – sufficient in the face of the economic challenges.
This call was made at the 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference organized by the Association, with the theme: “Medicine and The Future Economy: The Ondo State Doctor.”
In his address, the NMA chairman in Ondo state, Dr Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe commended members of the association for their doggedness and commitment to rescue the health sector in spite of the current challenges being faced.
Adeyemi-Osowe said there is the need to encourage doctors who are still in Nigeria for their unwavering commitment to the development of medical profession.
He noted Nigeria is battling with JAPA syndrome that has bedeviled the medical profession in the last 24 months.
He added “I want to express my sincere gratitude to all our members who have dedicated their time, expertise and unwavering commitment to the advancement of medical science and improvement of healthcare, even in the face of the current economic realities at the JAPA Syndrome that has bedeviled the medical profession in Nigeria in the last 24months.
“This year has been particularly challenging for the medical community, as we navigated through unprecedented times, facing numerous obstacles and uncertainties.
“However, it is during these difficult moments that our resilience, innovative spirit, collective will and efforts shine the brightest. Today’s gathering is a testament to the spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing that defines our association.”
Also speaking at the event, the state commissioner for health, Dr Banji Ajaka
said government has embarked on massive recruitment of “optimal” medical doctors to work in all the state owned hospitals and basic health centers across the state.
The commissioner added, “the Ondo state government presently is trying to tackle the Japa syndrome in the health sector. You know it is not peculiar to us but now we are tackling it because we have capacity to produce medical doctors and other personnel and we are strengthening it.
“Government has also given approval for more doctors to be employed as well as all the health workers now and we are about concluding. Very soon, we will roll out recruitment exercise for our doctors and other health workers.
“I can tell you that we are recruiting for primary health, secondary health and the tertiary health. It is very huge. We are recruiting to all cadres. We will go for optimal because the resources is not unlimited, we have to go for optimal. If there ten doctors that can man a hospital, we would put the optimal number in that hospital. We are working on the optimal. We are not just recruit for recruitment sake.”
The Chairman of the conference and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof Adesegun Fatusi, urged medical doctors to continue to provide selfless service to the country.
He stressed the need for government to give adequate attention to the welfare of medical doctors in the country.
