Akwa Ibom Governor Declares Two Medical Doctors Wanted for Relocating Overseas

Akwa Ibom Governor Declares Two Medical Doctors Wanted for Relocating Overseas

 

 

The Akwa Ibom State government has declared two medical doctors wanted after they allegedly abandoned their duty posts and relocated overseas in search of greener pastures, despite being trained for eight years with state resources.

 

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Uyo.

 

According to him, the affected doctors are Dr. Uduakabasi Ita, a consultant radiologist, and Dr. Mfonobong Bassey, a consultant haematologist, both employees of the state’s Ministry of Health.

 

Dr. John explained that the doctors failed to honour the government’s mandatory service bond, which requires all medical professionals sponsored for specialist training by the state to serve for a specified number of years before resigning or seeking opportunities elsewhere.

 

“The state government has repeatedly said that any medical personnel it trains is bound to first serve the state to cover the cost of their training before leaving for greener pastures. The ministry of health has declared them wanted. We will stop their salaries and track them until we find them,” he said.

 

The commissioner warned that the government would notify relevant medical councils in any country the doctors may have relocated to, in order to restrict their professional practice. He urged their families to prevail on them to immediately return to the state Ministry of Health.

 

Dr. John further emphasized that going forward, medical officers trained with state funds must either serve out their agreed tenure in Akwa Ibom or refund the resources spent on their education.

 

He added that the state would not tolerate a situation where its “best hands” abandon the system after benefiting from taxpayers’ resources.

 

The commissioner also commended Governor Umo Eno for declaring a state of emergency in the health sector, stressing that under the administration’s ARISE Agenda, Akwa Ibom was committed to building one of the best healthcare systems in Nigeria.