JAPA: SIFAX Boss urges FG to review Doctors’ salary

cover, General News

Officials of Gerar University of Medical Sciences conducting the official turbaning and investiture of Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group as the first Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-Ijebu, held over the weekend at the university premises

The newly-appointed Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences and Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi and his wife Folasade Afolabi during the investiture of Afolabi as Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences held at the university premises in Imope-Ijebu, Ogun State recently.

L-R: Princess Vicky Haastrup, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, ENL Consortium and Chairperson, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria; Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences and Chairman, SIFAX Group and a guest during the investiture of Afolabi as Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences held at the university premises in Imope-Ijebu, Ogun State recently.

L-R: Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Telu 1; Mrs. Folashade Afolabi, wife of SIFAX Group Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group and Chancellor, Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-Ijebu; Prof. Niyi Adetoro, Vice Chancellor, Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-Ijebu and Mrs. Abiola Adetoro, during the investiture of Afolabi and Adetoro as Chancellor and Vice Chancellor respectively held at the University premises, Imope-Ijebu last Friday.

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chancellor, Gerar University of Medical Sciences and Chairman, SIFAX Group (m) flanked by traditional rulers from Ogun State during his investiture as Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences held at the university premises in Imope-Ijebu, Ogun State recently.

L-R: Prof. Niyi Adetoro, Vice Chancellor, Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-Ijebu; Mrs. Peter Rotimi Oludipe, wife of the Bishop of Ijebu Anglican Diocese; Rev’d Dr. Peter Rotimi Oludipe, Bishop of Ijebu Anglican Diocese; Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group and Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences and his wife Folasade Afolabi, during the investiture of Afolabi as Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences held at the university premises in Imope-Ijebu, Ogun State recently.

L-R: Vanessa Uansohia, Head, Corporate Communications, SAHCO Plc; Adegbesan Abiodun, Executive Director, Finance and Administration; Herbert Odika, Executive Director, Operations, SAHCO Plc; Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group and Chancellor, Gerar University of Medical Sciences; and Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group during the investiture of Afolabi as Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences held at the university premises in Imope-Ijebu, Ogun State recently.

In order to stem the tide of migration of doctors and other health workers out of Nigeria (JAPA syndrome), Chairman, SIFAX Group, Doctor Taiwo Afolabi, has called on the federal government to improve the remuneration of health workers in the country.

While speaking at his investiture as the Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-Ijebu, Ogun State, Afolabi said this mass migration of health professionals, especially doctors and nurses, out of Nigeria known as Japa has negatively affected the country’s health care delivery.

He said that the ugly trend must be frontally tackled by the government and further noted that aside from the provision of modern equipment and tools at public health facilities across the country to improve service rendered, priority attention must also be devoted to the welfare of these dispirited health professionals who are left in the country.

He said: “Many of our competent medical hands have been lost to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia among other developed economies where sufficient encouragement in terms of remuneration, modern work tools, and a conducive working environment have been provided to attract talents from all over the world.

“This migration by young Nigerians has negatively affected almost every sector of the country, but it is safe to conclude that the health sector has been the biggest victim of this JAPA syndrome. The few doctors, nurses, and other health professionals that are left in the country are overworked and grossly underpaid when compared to their counterparts globally.

“This has negatively impacted the quality of services patients could access in our public health institutions. Our governments, at all levels, need to be strategic and proactive in tackling this menace.

“Pay for health workers must be improved while a conducive environment that will make them thrive and be fulfilled professionally must be provided.”

Afolabi, who lauded the proprietor and management of the specialised institution for their foresight in establishing the university at a time the country needs to produce more quality health workers, said Gerar University of Medical Sciences has the capacity to become a reference point and a centre of excellence in medical education and research in the country.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Niyi Adetoro, said the new university will leverage technology and innovation to drive its vision, adding that the support of corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals will be required to support the university’s ambitious vision, which has necessitated an endowment fund of N500 million.