The commissioner added that "the Japa syndrome is really affecting the health sector" and that Governor Oborevwori had approved the employment of health personnel to replace those who left the state for overseas.
Delta state government has lamented the ‘continued exodus of medical doctors and nurses’ from the country to overseas for greener pastures.
Briefing journalists on Thursday about the outcome of the state’s weekly executive council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the health commissioner, Joseph Onojaeme, lamented that the exodus of health personnel abroad for greener pastures had no doubt affected the country’s health sector and the state in particular.
The commissioner added that "the Japa syndrome is really affecting the health sector" and that Governor Oborevwori had approved the employment of health personnel to replace those who left the state for overseas.
According to the health commissioner, "Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has given a standing approval for immediate replacement of essential workers lost to Japa syndrome and brain drain, the state government was committed to ensuring the health of Deltans and over N3 billion was approved for the medical equipment of 20 general hospitals across the state."
Also speaking, the information commissioner, Ifeanyi Osuoza, flanked by the Commissioner for Works (rural and riverine roads), Charles Aniagwu, his higher education, health counterparts, Nyerovwo Tonukari, Joseph Onojaeme and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Festus Ahon, listed the hospitals to benefit from the N3 billion equipment to include general hospitals at Obiaruku, Abraka, Ekpan, Owa-Alero, Okwe, Koko, Orerokpe, Otu-Jeremi, Burutu, Abavo, Owa-Oyibu, Issele-Uku, Ibusa, Aviara, Onicha-Olona, Ofagbe, Aboh, Ashaka, Kiagbodo and Eku Baptist Government Hospital.
Osuoza further said that the State Executive Council (EXCO) also approved the payment of over N674,000,000 as bursaries to students of its origin for the 2022/2023 academic session as well as compensation for the construction of a flyover at Enerhen Junction to First Marine Gate in Warri.
He said, "The EXCO has approved the release of funds for 2022/2023 payment of Students Assistance Scheme, otherwise known as bursary for 30,116 students of the state origin drawn from 195 institutions across the country for the 2022/2023 bursary.
“There is approval for the upward review of the contract for the procurement of medical equipment at 20 general hospitals in Delta State. There is an upward variation of the contract for the remodeling of the uncompleted library building of the Basic Clinical building for the College of Health Sciences, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area.
“There is also over N2 billion approval for the compensation of buildings that will be affected by the construction of the flyover bridge from Enerhen Junction, Effurun to Marine Gate, Warri in Uwvie and Warri South local government areas, respectively."
Explaining further, Aniagwu said, "Following the hardship in the land, the governor is very much interested in this because when parents are looking for money, they need the money to take care of their children, pay school fees and provide basic necessities.
“As a government, we believe that if we are able to give some funds to these students, that way we have also been able to help their parents. Any student that you make this money available to now, at least, for that month and maybe the next, will not ask his or her parents for money to buy one book or feed.
"As an administration, you will notice a number of things we have mentioned here that we are doing in the health sector. It is also with a view to ensuring that our people have access to medical facilities and that they are able to reach out.”
“Once we are able to put the hospitals in good shape and they are functional, it means that the funds that are available to you, even when we did not give it to you by cash, that as a government, we have also provided in that area. All the steps being taken by the Oborevwori-led administration is with a view to making life much more livable for our people," Aniagwu added.