Japa Syndrome: FG Launches Housing Scheme to Retain Doctors
Japa Syndrome: FG Launches Housing Scheme to Retain Doctors
The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, according to the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Bala Audu.
As part of the policy rollout, the government has introduced a housing scheme for healthcare workers nationwide to help curb the growing trend of medical professionals leaving the country.
President Bola Tinubu approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration in August 2024 to tackle the challenges affecting Nigeria’s health workforce.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, who disclosed the development, noted that the policy was more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals but a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration.
Some of the takeaways from the policy are that the Federal and State Governments will develop a special incentive programme for all healthcare workforce serving in rural and underserved areas; the government and relevant ministries, departments and agencies will create modalities for special mortgage facilities for healthcare workers to easily own houses, cars, and other essential assets; and the federal and state ministries of health, in collaboration with the offices of the head of the civil service, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, will periodically review healthcare workers’ salaries, benefits, pensions, and allowances.
Speaking on the government’s recent actions to curb the health workforce crisis, Prof Audu said, “The greatest challenge we have in the health sector at the moment is the paucity of the health workforce as a result of the Japa syndrome, and we know the government has not laid back, it has launched two main solutions to this problem.
“The first is the policy on health workforce retention policy, which is to improve the welfare of the health workforce so that they can remain behind and not leave this country, and now we are beginning to see the actual implementation of the policy.
“Amongst them is the creation of what the Federal Government has called Renewed Hope Medical City where healthcare workers -doctors, nurses, and others would have their houses built for them at mortgage price, and they can pay over 20 to 30 years
“This is a fresh and unprecedented approach to healthcare worker welfare,” said Prof. Bala Audu. “While salary improvement remains essential, other critical areas like transportation are also being discussed with the government. We’re optimistic that these discussions will lead to a reasonable agreement.”
He explained that another key strategy for addressing the Japa syndrome is to increase the number of trained healthcare professionals. To this end, the government has expanded the capacity of tertiary institutions responsible for training medical personnel—including doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, and others.
Prof. Audu acknowledged that the full impact of these initiatives may take up to five years to materialize. However, he stressed the importance of taking action now to prevent further deterioration of the healthcare workforce.
He commended the government’s efforts, noting that its combination of immediate interventions and long-term planning demonstrates foresight. “That’s not to say everything is perfect, but we are already compiling a list of beneficiaries for the housing scheme,” he added.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Tope Osundara, revealed that the medical city project is being developed in partnership with Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.
“The Minister of Housing and Urban Development has also approved our residency village project, and work is currently ongoing,” Osundara confirmed.
