Prof Isah Adagiri, Chief Medical Director (CMD), Kogi Specialist Hospital, on Wednesday lamented the dearth of Medical Doctors in the state, which he said, calls for concern and drastic measures.

The CMD made the lamentation during the 2024 budget appraisal and projection on the floor of Kogi House of Assembly in Lokoja, attributung the scarcity on Japa syndrome.

Adagiri explained: “In spite of Gov Yahaya Bello’s standing approval to the management of Specialist Hospital to replace any medical doctor that leaves the service for greener pasture, the doctors are not forthcoming.”

“Many doctors have Japa, and despite our willingness to replace them by employing new ones, they are no where to be found.

“It’s no longer news that a lot of doctors are moving out of the country in droves for greener pastures, a situation, which is negatively telling on our services as a hospital.

“There are lots of disadvantages in the crave for greener pastures by these doctors, who do all they could to earn every Kobo being paid them.

“But because of patriotism, someone like me can’t imagine myself leaving the service to work out of the country, ” he said.

The CMD disclosed that the Specialist Hospital recently lost a doctor, who left for Dubai to work, but died as a result of the hazards of working in a foreign country.

According to him, with a better welfare package, government could discourage and stop the Japa syndrome and allow for excellent health care delivery services in the hospitals.

“For us, in specialist hospital, we always liaised with you, the House Committee on Health and Social Services, to get better welfare packages for our doctors.

“It’s my belief that better pay to our doctors will stop the syndrome and improve our service to residents of Kogi,” he said.