How to reduce 'Japa’ in Nigeria's health sector

The Oyo State Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Chairman, Happy Adedapo, has appealed to governments to give more incentives to health workers and doctors to reduce ‘japa’ syndrome in Nigeria.

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Japa refers to the mass exodus of skilled Nigerians to foreign countries for better living standards.

Mr Adedapo made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan.

He remarked that the ‘japa’ syndrome, which was one of the major challenges of health workers in 2024, would reduce to the barest minimum if the doctors were made comfortable.

“It’s not too much for the government to give car loans to doctors to encourage them and keep them in the system.

“We appeal to Governor Makinde to pay the doctors working in the state the medical residency training fund.

“The adjusted consolidated medical salary scale that FG implemented should also be implemented for doctors in Oyo State as well.

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“State workers should also enjoy the wage award. It’s not too much for the government to give more incentives to the doctors to encourage them.

“The japa syndrome should be reduced to the barest minimum.

“Soft car loans can be given to the doctors to keep them in the system and prevent them from leaving Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Adedapo urged health workers and relevant stakeholders to work in synergy to improve healthcare delivery in Oyo State and Nigeria at large in 2025.

The Oyo NMA boss said the association would keep partnering with the state government to deliver the collective goals for the people of Oyo State.

“We should make synergy our watchword this year.

“For us to make more progress in 2025, challenges such as poor remuneration, manpower shortage, poor power supply, among others should be looked into.

“Oyo NMA is doing its best. We have played the roll of whistleblowing, informing relevant government agencies about quackery in the state.

READ ALSO: He who japas may eventually japada, By Wole Olaoye

“We are determined with the government to clear out quackery activities in the state,” he said.

Mr Adedapo appreciated the workers for contributing their quota toward the sustenance of the health care system.

“In spite of all the challenges, the key players are still putting in their best to ensure the system does not collapse.

“Let’s all continue to do our best to help the patients, which can be anybody, as we trust God and the government for a better working condition this year,” Mr Adedapo said.

(NAN)