The Nigerian Government has asked all health workers to tender their resignations before relocating abroad.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Saturday, during his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, said the directive was contained in the Executive Order issued by President Bola Tinubu.
He said that health workers going abroad to seek greener pastures must “henceforth resign their appointments before embarking on such journeys,” according to reports.
He stated that the decision was made to tackle the challenge of brain drain, often known as the ‘Japa Syndrome’, that is affecting the health sector. The minister also disclosed that the Nigerian government had begun active recruiting of personnel in the health sector.
According to the minister, the annual enrollment of nurses has climbed from roughly 28,000 to 68,000, and by the end of the year, it will have reached 120,000.
He said President Tinubu recognised the people as the country’s most valuable asset and promised to take proactive steps to strengthen the healthcare system for their benefit.
“In addition to the massive engagement of nurses, we have equally doubled our enrollment for doctors, dentists and pharmacists,” he was quoted as saying.
However, the government has not prohibited anyone who wants to move to the UK or Australia to take up appointments not to do so, he said.
“It is a free world. But you cannot eat your cake and have it. If you are going, just resign your appointments with the federal government, rather than applying for ‘leave of absence’.
“That is the Presidential Executive Order which has been communicated to all the Chief Medical Directors of Federal Government owned health facilities to implement.”