UNILAG Medical Center Faces Staffing Crisis As ‘Japa Syndrome’ Worsens

By Joy Chioke and Abimbola Adelakun

The University of Lagos Medical Centre is currently struggling with a staffing crisis caused by the growing ‘japa syndrome’ that has led to many qualified healthcare professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.

Dr. A.A.S. Ogundele, a Principal Medical Officer at the centre, highlighted that while the number of student patients continues to grow, the number of qualified personnel is reducing drastically.   The statement highlighted that the dwindling workforce has placed immense pressure on the remaining staff, who are now tasked with managing increasingly demanding workloads.

The infrastructural deficit is another challenge of the Center. Some of the infrastructures and facilities in use are old and need to be upgraded or replaced with new ones of modern technological standards, but this is not yet achievable due to financial implications.

Moreover, the remunerations of the medical and health officers in the Center is quite different from what their counterparts under the Federal Ministry of Health are receiving. Being a department in the University of Lagos, which is under the Ministry of Education, most of the Health worker’s allowances elude them.

In conclusion, the welfare of the staff is paramount. The Center will appreciate any measure that will be put in place by the University authorities to elevate the staff’s financial status and boost their morale. That will go a long way to put to end the issue of Brain Drain being experienced in the organization and in Nigeria as a whole.