Akwa Ibom Declares Two Doctors Wanted For Abandoning Posts, Relocating Abroad

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Akwa Ibom State government has declared two medical doctors wanted after they allegedly abandoned their posts and relocated overseas in search of greener pastures, despite being trained for eight years with public funds.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Uyo.

According to him, the affected doctors are Dr Uduakabasi Ita, a consultant radiologist, and Dr Mfonobong Bassey, a consultant haematologist, both employees of the state’s Ministry of Health.

Dr John explained that the doctors failed to honour the government’s mandatory service bond, which requires all medical professionals sponsored for specialist training by the state to serve for a specified number of years before resigning or seeking opportunities elsewhere.

“The state government has repeatedly said that any medical personnel it trains is bound to first serve the state to cover the cost of their training before leaving for greener pastures. The Ministry of Health has declared them wanted. We will stop their salaries and track them until we find them,” he said.

The commissioner further warned that the government would notify relevant medical councils in any country the doctors may have relocated to, in order to restrict their professional practice. He also appealed to their families to prevail upon them to return immediately to the state’s Ministry of Health.

Dr John stressed that, going forward, medical officers trained with state funds must either serve out their agreed tenure in Akwa Ibom or refund the resources spent on their education.

He added that the state would no longer tolerate a situation where its “best hands” abandon the system after benefitting from taxpayers’ resources.

The commissioner also commended Governor Umo Eno for declaring a state of emergency in the health sector, noting that under the administration’s ARISE Agenda, Akwa Ibom remained committed to building one of the best healthcare systems in Nigeria.