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Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration has intensified efforts to curb the migration of healthcare professionals, popularly known as the “Japa” syndrome, with the absorption of 126 contract workers into the Edo State workforce and the approval for fresh recruitment at Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Anthonia Inibokun Njoku, said the interventions were already strengthening healthcare delivery and positioning the state-owned facility to reverse medical tourism through improved specialist services.
Dr. Njoku disclosed this on Monday during a press conference and guided media tour of the hospital’s facilities to commemorate its seventh anniversary.
She commended Governor Okpebholo for prioritising healthcare from the primary to the tertiary level, saying the administration had demonstrated unwavering commitment to building a resilient health system.
She said, “Today, we are not only celebrating seven years of existence but also reflecting on our journey of resilience, growth and our unwavering commitment to delivering quality healthcare to the people of Edo State. We sincerely appreciate Governor Monday Okpebholo for strengthening healthcare across all levels,” she said.
According to the CMD, one of the first approvals granted by the governor was the regularisation of 126 contract workers who had not been captured on the Edo State workforce platform.
“When we came on board, we discovered that 126 contract staff had not been onboarded into the Edo State workforce. His Excellency graciously approved their absorption, and today they have all been integrated into the state’s workforce.
He also approved the recruitment of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to bridge manpower gaps created by the Japa syndrome,” she stated.
She disclosed that the hospital currently has over 600 staff, adding that more than 290 personnel had been employed in the last month, including the regularised workers.
“Although the Japa syndrome is still affecting staff retention across the health sector, the governor is engaging the relevant professional associations to improve remuneration and welfare. Staff welfare remains one of the key pillars of this administration, and we believe these measures will encourage our professionals to remain in service,” she added.
Dr. Njoku also announced that the hospital had secured accreditation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
She further disclosed that the state government had procured equipment for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), saying, “Very soon, couples in Edo State will begin to smile because the government has procured IVF equipment for us, and we are set to commence assisted reproductive services.”
On plans to reverse medical tourism, the CMD said the hospital was working towards providing world-class, patient-centred healthcare backed by modern technology.
“Our goal is to deliver specialist healthcare that is accessible, affordable and of global standard. We already have a CT scan, but His Excellency has agreed to support us in acquiring an MRI machine to expand our diagnostic capability.
“We want to position this hospital so that people will no longer need to travel elsewhere for specialised care, even in critical emergencies where time is of the essence,” she said.
She identified inadequate space and assaults on healthcare workers as some of the hospital’s major challenges but expressed optimism that government interventions would address them.
“Even if we have twice the current space, it will still be inadequate for the healthcare needs of Edo people. However, the government is already making plans to expand the hospital’s infrastructure.
“We are also tackling assault and violence against our health personnel through mediation and collaboration with the police, NSCDC and other security agencies. People grieve differently, but violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable,” Dr. Njoku stressed.
