In a move to address staff shortages resulting from the “Japa syndrome,” the Federal Government has granted approval for the recruitment of 200 medical and clinical staff at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The initiative is aimed at replacing health workers who have migrated abroad from the FMC Abeokuta. The approval to employ the new staff was contained in a letter from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation and addressed to the FMC Medical Director on November 24.
The letter marked, HCSF/SPSO/ODD/E&WP/650361, was in response to a request by the medical centre to employ more staff, and it was titled, ‘RE: Application For A Waiver To Employ Staff At Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta’.
“I am directed to refer to your letter ref. no. SMH.587/S.26/T/73 dated 31st August, 2023 on the above subject, and convey the approval of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for a waiver to enable Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, to fill a total of Two Hundred (200), positions,” the letter partly read.
The FMC was granted a waiver to employ 100 medical staff on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; 50 nursing officers and 50 nursing superintendents on Consolidated Health Salary Structure.
This approval, it was said, “is based on and limited to the 2023 Approved Establishment position of the Centre which covers the proposed recruitment.”
The spokesman for the medical centre, Segun Orisajor, confirmed the authenticity of the letter, expressing gratitude to the Head of Service of the Federation and Ministers of Health for their support.
He highlighted the positive impact the recruitment would have in alleviating the strain on existing staff due to the “Japa syndrome.”
Earlier reports had indicated that the FMC in Abeokuta had experienced a significant loss of approximately 50 consultants and 150 resident doctors over the last four years, attributing this to the “Japa syndrome,” where healthcare professionals migrate to foreign nations.