The federal government has issued an order mandating health practitioners planning to relocate abroad to resign their appointments with the government, rather than applying for leave of absence.
Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, disclosed this during a chat with journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday. He revealed that a presidential executive order had been sent to chief medical directors of government-owned health facilities to ensure compliance with the directive.
According to Alausa, while the government does not prohibit health practitioners from moving abroad, those intending to do so must formally resign their positions in the country before departing.
“It is a free world. But, you cannot eat your cake and have it. If you are going, just resign your appointments with the federal government, rather than applying for a leave of absence,” the minister emphasized.
He further explained that the Presidential Executive Order was aimed at streamlining the process and ensuring that vacancies left by departing health workers are promptly filled by qualified professionals.
“To resolve this problem, the President has directed that any health worker going abroad to work should just resign his or her appointment. This way, you won’t be blocking others who want to work,” Alausa stated.
The minister also highlighted government efforts to mitigate the impact of brain drain on the healthcare sector, including doubling enrollment for doctors, dentists, and pharmacists.
