Ogun moves to discourage brain drain among health workers

Dr Quudus Yusuff, Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Hospitals Management Board, Wednesday, said that the government was working hard to contain exodus of qualified healthcare personnel from its employment.

Yusuff , who was recently appointed permanent secretary of the board, said this during a familiarisation visit to some health facilities in Ijebu-Ode area of the state.

He said that government has continued to prioritise the health and wellbeing of its citizenry, and has not relented in funding hospitals across the state.

Yusuff said that several health projects had been inaugurated in the last three years of the Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led government, adding that many more were in the pipeline.

He assured that the government would continue to motivate medical practitioners and other health officers to make migration unattractive.

“Though no amount paid to healthcare practitioners can match the hazards they are exposed to, but the remuneration of health workers in our state is equal to those of our counterparts working in federal government facilities.

“Over a thousand approvals for recruitment have been received and implemented since the inception of this administration.

“The recruitment are for the post of consultants, medical officers, nurses, pharmacists, scientific officers, health attendants, as well as interns, among others,” Yusuff said.

He added that the introduction of the Health Insurance Scheme for the downtrodden was another achievement of the government in healthcare financing.

Yusuff said that the insurance scheme was geared towards making healthcare accessible and affordable for indigent people in the state.

The permanent secretary advised personnel intending to travel out to seek greener pastures to follow the civil service rules before quitting.

Responding, the Chief Medical Director, State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, Dr Oluseye Adetola, appreciated the government for working assiduously to provide quality health services for the people.