The Akwa Ibom State government has declared two medical specialists wanted after they allegedly abandoned their positions despite being trained with public funds.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, announced this in Uyo on Monday, identifying the doctors as Dr Uduakabasi Ita, a consultant radiologist, and Dr Mfonobong Bassey, a consultant haematologist, both employed by the state’s Ministry of Health.
He explained that the doctors left their duty posts in pursuit of opportunities abroad without fulfilling their obligation to serve the state for a specified period after completing their training.
“The state government has repeatedly said that any medical personnel it trains is bond to first serve the state to cover the cost of the training before they will be allowed to leave for greener pastures, ” the commissioner noted.
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The commissioner disclosed that their salaries had been suspended, adding that the ministry would take steps to locate them and alert relevant medical councils outside Nigeria if necessary.
“It is in their best interest to immediately report to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health as we will not be held liable once the Medical and Dental Council begins to sit, ” he cautioned. ” …we ask that their families reach out to them to immediately report to the ministry of health. “
Going forward, Dr John said, doctors and other medical personnel trained through state sponsorship would be required to complete their mandatory years of service before being allowed to resign.
Those unwilling to comply, he noted, must refund the cost of their training.
He further praised Governor Umo Eno for declaring a state of emergency in the health sector, stressing that the administration remains committed to strengthening healthcare delivery under the ARISE Agenda.
