The Federal Government has implemented a restriction on leave of absence for healthcare workers intending to relocate overseas, as part of efforts to combat the issue of brain drain in the nation’s health sector. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tun’i Alausa, made this announcement on Saturday, March 9, revealing that the ban on leave of absence follows an executive order issued by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Alausa highlighted the government’s proactive measures to address the challenges posed by the “japa syndrome” affecting the health sector. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust healthcare workforce to ensure the well-being of the populace.
Dr. Alausa outlined the significant increase in the recruitment of nurses, noting that the annual enrollment, which previously stood at 28,000, has now risen to 68,000. Furthermore, he revealed plans to further elevate the recruitment numbers to 120,000 by the end of the year.
The Minister underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering the health sector and acknowledged the need for adequate manpower to mitigate the impact of healthcare workers leaving the country. He emphasized that while individuals are free to pursue opportunities abroad, they should formally resign from their positions rather than applying for leave of absence.
Dr. Alausa explained that the President’s directive aims to prevent a situation where healthcare workers continue to receive government salaries while working abroad, thereby creating difficulties in replacing them. By resigning from their positions, departing health workers will facilitate smoother transitions and alleviate burdens on their colleagues.
