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The Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle said the alarming trend of medical professionals leaving Nigeria, known as the “Japa syndrome,” has extended beyond the civilian population and now impacts the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) as well.
Matawalle disclosed this during the 11th Stakeholders Meeting 2023 organized by the Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) in partnership with Military Health Care Providers.
Tagged: “Expanding the Scope of Nigerian Insurance Coverage for Armed Forces of Nigeria Military,” the meeting addressed critical issues affecting military healthcare.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar, expressed concern over the growing number of military medical personnel joining the exodus.
He attributed this trend to various factors, including challenges in the working environment, limited career advancement opportunities, and a desire for better living conditions.
He said the exodus of medical personnel, not just from the civilian population but also from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, is a troubling trend with serious consequences for our nation’s health and security.
“This brain drain threatens the ability of the Armed Forces to provide adequate medical care for its personnel and hinders their operational readiness.
“To address this crisis, we are taking a multi-pronged approach by engaging university students. We are partnering with universities to encourage students to join the Armed Forces and pursue careers in military medicine.
“This initiative will offer attractive incentives, career development opportunities, to attract and retain talent.
“Similarly, we are committed to creating a positive and supportive work environment for military medical personnel such as competitive salaries and benefits, access to cutting-edge technology and equipment, and opportunities for professional development and advancement.
According to him, he said the government will be investing in infrastructure and resources to support military medical personnel and their families like building new medical facilities, upgrading existing ones, and providing access to quality healthcare for all members of the Armed Forces community.
The Minister also encourage those existing the country. He said I want to remind all medical personnel that they have a critical role to play in serving their nation. By choosing to stay in Nigeria and contribute their skills to the Armed Forces, they can make a significant difference in the lives of their fellow citizens.
“This engagment will also recognize the need to address the challenges faced by veterans and their families.
“Our core mandate of the health maintenance program is to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage for both serving and retired military personnel and their dependents.
“This includes full medical care for officers and their families, including children up to 18 years old. This program aims to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and ensure that veterans and their families receive the care they deserve.”
On his part, the Director General of DHML Surgeon Rear Admiral AB Afolayan (Rtd), noted that the event is avenue to brainstorm and review existing policies and creating a new once.
“This event is an opportunity to reflect on our progress in the past year, identify the remaining challenges, and explore new opportunities to better serve the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.
“We are committed to ensuring that they receive the support and resources they need to carry out their missions and lead fulfilling lives”, he said.
