The approval, outlined in a letter from the Head of Service of the Federation, dated November 24, responds to the center’s request to bolster its workforce in light of recent departures of health professionals to foreign countries.

The sanctioned recruitment includes 100 medical staff on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, along with 50 nursing officers and 50 nursing superintendents on the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.

The Head of Service of the Federation emphasized adherence to the Federal Character principle and clearance from the Budget Office of the Federation.

Acknowledging the significance of the approval, the Medical Director, Prof Adewale Musa-Olomu, expressed gratitude to the Head of Service of the Federation and Ministers of Health.

The move is anticipated to alleviate the strain caused by the “Japa syndrome,” a phenomenon resulting in the loss of 50 consultants and 150 resident doctors at the FMC, Abeokuta, over the last four years, as highlighted by the Chairman of the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, Dr. Jimoh Saheed.

The circular signed by the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Olufemi Oloruntoba, for the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation read partly, “I am directed to refer to the above-mentioned memorandum presented at the 44th National Council on Establishment held from 5th-9th December 2022, in Yola, Adamawa State requesting a review of the current retirement age of Medical/Dental Consultants and other health professionals from 60 to 70 and 75 respectively.

“After careful consideration of the memorandum, the council rejected the request based on the following: Professionals in the health sector were leaving the country because of pecuniary consideration and unfavourable conditions of service and not as a result of retirement age.

“Some state government had already increased the retirement age of medical doctors and other health workers and this has not addressed the spate of brain drain.”

It also said it was dissatisfied with health workers’ attitude to work, noting that in spite of efforts by the government to encourage health workers, the exodus of health workers had not abated.

“Council, however, approved that clinical health workers who have attained the compulsory retirement age/years may be given contract appointment on the same salary scale level that they retired on if desired and deserved.

“Government should engage the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Medical Association to extract some level of commitment from medical doctors.

“To address the observed dissatisfaction with the attitude of health workers to work, there is a need to institutionalise an effective performance management system in the public service in order to improve the work ethics of the medical officers and consultant, and medical doctors should show more patriotism in the discharge of their duties and avoid holding the system to ransom,” it added.

Consequently, the FMoH in its circular urged all executives of agencies, Chief Medical Directors, Medical Directors, and Heads of Regulatory Bodies and Schools to ensure strict compliance with the directive from the OHCSF.

The circular signed by the Deputy of Appointment, Promotion and Discipline, Daloba Paul Edward for the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, was referenced C.4007/T.2/37.

The Minister of State for Health, Ekumankama Nkama, revealed this over the weekend at the opening of the Labor ward, adult intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, and paediatric intensive care unit at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

According to Nkama, the impacts of brain drain and job overload have led to a severe lack of medical experts at LUTH and other tertiary health facilities.

He spoke on behalf of the ministry through Dr. David Atuwo, Director of the National Cancer Control Programme, saying, “This ‘japa’ syndrome is adversely affecting services in our hospitals, to the extent that some wards are closed for lack of personnel to man them.”

Nkama added that the Federal Ministry of Health with other government agents including the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is working very hard to ensure that exiting staff is replaced as soon and seamlessly as possible.

“The ministry is also working on a brain gain mechanism whereby our health professionals in the diaspora can be incentivised to come home and give paid expert service to our citizens. This is a win, win situation for the nation and our experienced medical professionals in the diaspora.”

“I am glad the Head of Service is here in person as her office has been very cooperative. Let me thank her profusely for all her efforts in this regard. The full implementation of this initiative will ensure that services are maintained at the present level.”

The minister continued that the inauguration of the three projects has shown the hard work of the Board of management, and staff of LUTH over the years and has resulted in the current success.

He described the projects as a testimony and a thing of pride, especially for the outgoing Chief Medical Director.

“Results of our biggest ever strike ballot show record numbers of nursing staff are prepared to join picket lines this winter,” it said.

Britain’s health minister, Steve Barclay, described the decision as “disappointing”.

The move comes amid a cost-of-living crisis that the union says has left its members struggling to feed their families and pay their bills.

“This is a defining moment in our history, and our fight will continue through strike action and beyond for as long as it takes to win justice for the nursing profession and our patients,” RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen said.

“Anger has become action – our members are saying enough is enough,” she added.

The industrial action is expected to begin before the end of the year, with dates to be announced soon.

The RCN is calling for a pay rise of five percent above inflation.

Recent months have seen a wave of industrial action in the UK.

Tens of thousands of staff in various industries – from the postal and legal systems to ports and telecommunications – have gone one strike across Britain since the summer.

The RCN says there are currently record nursing vacancies, with 25,000 staff leaving the Nursing and Midwifery Council register last year.