The Abia State government said it has discovered that some doctors who left the state for greener pastures abroad are still collecting salaries.
Governor Alex Otti made the announcement on Thursday at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia during the State Council on Health.
Otti revealed that the ongoing digitalization of the state’s civil service has exposed the presence of these “ghost doctors” on the payroll, drawing undeserved remuneration despite their absence.
“The ‘japa’ syndrome has indeed taken its toll on the health sector; however, this administration is not leaving any stone unturned in addressing this challenge,” Otti declared.
He noted that to end the ‘japa’ syndrome, the government has resolved to motivate its healthcare workers through prompt payment of their wages and the improvement of welfare packages that we will introduce in 2024.
The governor also stated that his administration plans to hire more healthcare workers to strengthen the healthcare system.
“We are in the process of recruiting new skilled birth attendants to improve healthcare service delivery in the state. Furthermore, our ongoing digitalisation of the Abia State civil service has uncovered some staff that have left their duty post for greener pastures yet still receive remuneration from the government,” he disclosed.
Otti added that the criminality involved in this will be addressed by the relevant government agencies, noting that “the important thing here is that we do not have the number of hands that were hitherto reported. We are working hard to fill these gaps.”
The Minister of Health, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifenyinwa Uma-Kalu, echoed Governor Otti’s sentiments.
Uma-Kalu noted the importance of state governments supporting the federal government’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure.
While the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, described the council as a testament to the current administration’s commitment to prioritising healthcare development,. She reiterated the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage for all Abians.
