The House of Representatives Committee on Health expressed deep concerns about the diminishing health workforce in the country. On Tuesday, the committee highlighted the impact of doctors and nurses relocating from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to various international destinations, resulting in the closure of five wards with a total of 150 beds.
LUTH, known as Nigeria’s premier health training institution, is grappling with the consequences of this significant manpower depletion.
Dr. Amos Magaji, the committee’s chairman, expressed his worries about the situation, emphasizing the need to address the rising trend of Nigerians seeking medical treatment abroad.
He stated that the legislative body is actively working to tackle the root causes of this phenomenon.
Attributing the closure of wards to the migration of health professionals, particularly from LUTH, Dr. Magaji underscored the adverse effects on the country’s health system. He described the situation as a “worrisome japa syndrome” and emphasized the committee’s commitment to curbing the trend.
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During an oversight visit to LUTH in Idi-Araba, the committee chairman emphasized the urgency of investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and creating a conducive working environment to retain and attract health workers.
Magaji stressed the need to make the health sector not only attractive but also rewarding for professionals across various fields.
In his closing remarks, the health committee chairman highlighted the critical nature of the current healthcare situation in Nigeria, where the “japa syndrome” has expanded beyond just nurses and doctors to affect numerous departments within the health sector.
The committee pledged to work towards implementing comprehensive measures to address the challenges and fortify the nation’s health system.