How Nigerian Govt can address japa syndrome in medical sector — NMA FCT chairman, Ebong

The newly elected chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chapter, George Ebong, has explained how the Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders can address the migration of doctors from the country.

In his inaugural address in Abuja on Saturday, Ebong said the Nigerian government should prioritise doctors’ welfare as a key solution to the japa syndrome.

He noted that the major reason for doctors’ migration from Nigeria is the search for greener pastures.

According to him, prioritising doctors’ welfare in Nigeria would greatly help address the japa syndrome in the country’s health sector.

Ebong said the Nigerian government should see private hospitals as viable partners in tackling health challenges in the country.

“We must build a united front. We must speak with one voice on the dignity and welfare of Nigerian doctors.

“We are spotlighting doctors’ welfare. One of the reasons doctors migrate abroad is due to the search for greener pastures. We will ensure the government makes welfare better, so that doctors will have greener pastures here. We are going to engage the government. We won’t tolerate assaults on our members.

“The medical profession is affected, so definitely what we are going to do is to make sure that we fight for the welfare of doctors.

“From day one, we are going to start doing that. And we are going to take it from hospital to hospital. And the government also needs to know that we have private hospitals that have done so much to bridge the gap where federal and state government hospitals cannot actually do that much.

“And so, the government needs to do so much to help these private hospitals meet their needs fully. I mean, they give back to the community, they run residency programmes, and they have equipment that even federal government hospitals don’t have.

“But then, they pay lots of taxes. It’s not even helping right now.

“So, the government should look into them and see how they can help them grow so that ordinary citizens can have affordable access to these hospitals as well. God bless Nigerian doctors,” he said.

Also speaking, the President of the National Body of the NMA, Prof. Afekhide Omoti, urged the new executives to ensure unity among members.

“FCT is the centre of NMA in Nigeria. I am happy with the crop of elected officials to run the affairs of FCT NMA for the next two years. Try your best to be a unifier. End all divisions in the Association,” he said.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour, Dr Kamil Shoretire, in his remarks, said the Nigerian government’s doors are open to collaboration with doctors to improve the country’s healthcare sector.

DAILY POST reports that 3,919 doctors left Nigeria in 2025.

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