The Kwara State Government has raised concerns over the shortage of medical doctors across its health facilities, attributing the situation to the ongoing brain drain, popularly known as the ‘Japa’ syndrome. The Executive Secretary of the State Hospital Management Board, Dr Abdulraheem Abdulmalik, disclosed this at the first quarter inter-ministerial press briefing in Ilorin, noting that despite approvals to recruit, eligible doctors are difficult to find.
Dr Abdulmalik revealed that the state currently has only 99 doctors on its payroll, far short of the 180 to 200 required. He said a recent increase in doctors’ salaries by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq encouraged three doctors who had left to return, and efforts are ongoing to attract more personnel.
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To ease pressure on the limited workforce, the board is developing a software application to inform patients at its 45 health facilities about the number of doctors available at any given time. The initiative aims to reduce waiting times and prevent health emergencies while patients await care.
Dr Abdulmalik added that the doctor shortage is more acute in rural areas, but a retention plan is in the works to address the gap.
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