In a bid to cushion the adverse effects of brain drain in the health sector, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has given a marching order for the frequent recruitment of medical doctors and other healthcare personnel in the State.

The State's Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Razaq, disclosed this at the 35th Media Parliament of the State's Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held in Ilorin, the State capital.

Razaq disclosed that the governor had mandated his ministry to employ 40 new medical doctors, 60 nurses and 25 pharmacists.

He identified brain drain in the health sector as a national phenomenon while the government took swift measure to bridge the gap that might be created as a result of mass exodus of medical personnel in search of greener pasture abroad.

At the event themed “Kwara Health Sector: The Journey So Far”, the Commissioner said that the state government had expended over N300million on immunization programme to curb the diseases associated with children.

He added that the General Hospital Ilorin had been approved for conversion into a Teaching Hospital for medical students of Kwara State University, Malete, to be thoroughly trained.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State has given us marching orders. He said we should employ 40 new doctors, 60 new nurses and 25 pharmacists. That is order number one. And when you employed them, distribute them across all our facilities in line with the need.

“Order number two from the Governor. He said employ Doctors and Nurses when you need them. He has given us that order because of brain-drain. Brain-drain is a national issue, it is not peculiar to Kwara. Doctors are leaving for greener pasture to UK, US, Canada and all other countries like that. It is a national problem.

“But the Governor's vision is that in order to cushion brain-drain in Kwara, let us start producing medical doctors in our state university and we will begin to produce medical doctors in KWASU now. And the Governor has magnanimously and graciously approved that General Hospital, Ilorin should be converted to Teaching Hospital. By the time we are training medical students and convert them to medical doctors and training consultants in our teaching hospital, we cannot be suffering in the midst of plenty,” he said.

The commissioner, who noted that the health sector suffered neglect before the advent of the present administration, said Governor AbdulRazaq had surpassed records of his predecessors in the area of healthcare delivery.

In his remarks, the state chairman of NUJ, Abdullateef Ahmed, lamented mass relocation of medical personnel abroad, pointing out that it has severely affected the health sector.

Ahmed called for adequate budgetary provision and procurement of modern equipment in health facilities to discourage medical tourism among the well to do in the society.