The Kogi State House of Assembly has stressed the urgent need for government at all levels to train more medical doctors and improve their welfare packages including remuneration, housing, and mobility to curb the rising trend of “japa” syndrome among health professionals.
Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Usman Ochidi, made the call on Wednesday when various ministries appeared before the Assembly to defend their 2026 budget proposals.
Hon. Ochidi, who represents Dekina Biraidu State Constituency, said the worsening exodus of doctors poses a grave threat to the nation’s health sector. According to him, only deliberate investment and incentives can encourage medical professionals to remain in the country.
“We must train more doctors and ensure they are well taken care of if we truly want to strengthen our health system,” he said. “Better wages, housing support, and mobility are no longer luxuries they are necessities if we want our doctors to stay and serve their fatherland.”
He cautioned against politicising the health sector, noting that medical professionals are the backbone of the nation’s development. The lawmaker commended Governor Usman Ododo for prioritising the welfare of doctors, particularly the recent approval of a ?300,000 monthly medical allowance** for physicians in the state.
“Governor Ododo has shown genuine commitment to improving the welfare of medical officers,” he stated. “The ?300,000 medical allowance is a bold step. It will go a long way in reducing the number of doctors leaving our state for other countries.”
Ochidi further urged the government to consider long-term housing support for doctors through affordable mortgage schemes.
“I strongly suggest that government build houses for medical doctors under a mortgage arrangement. When a doctor knows he has a home, he feels rooted. This will motivate them to work wholeheartedly for their people,” he said.
He also recommended that the government provide official vehicles for doctors, to be paid for gradually from their salaries, noting that mobility is essential, especially when responding to emergencies.
“If our doctors have functional vehicles, they can respond promptly to emergencies. This will significantly boost service delivery and reduce the japa syndrome in Kogi State and across Nigeria,” he added.
Hon. Ochidi also praised ministries and parastatals for what he described as an impressive performance in the 2025 fiscal year, urging them to strive even harder in 2026.
“Many ministries performed remarkably well in 2025. I encourage them to keep improving because our people are counting on us,” he said.
The lawmaker reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to supporting policies and programmes that will strengthen the state’s health sector and safeguard the wellbeing of citizens.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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