By Dennis Udoma
Akwa Ibom State government has declared two medical doctors in its employ wanted for what it described as ‘Abdication of Duty’ after gainful training at the expense of the state.
Those declared wanted were Dr Uduakabasi Ita, a Consultant Radiologist and Dr. Mfonobong George Bassey, a Consultant Hematologist, both staff of the State Ministry of Health.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, announced this on Monday saying, the state government could no longer stand idle, while its best-trained hands flee for “greener pastures” without fulfilling their obligations to the people who funded their medical training.
He said, the affected doctors have only two choices to make: either they return to their duty posts in the state civil service or refund the millions of Naira sunk into their specialised training.
According to him, “Henceforth, all medical officers trained by the state government must serve out the agreed number of years in the state before being allowed to resign.
“Government cannot allow its best hands to exit service without first serving Akwa Ibom people, whose resources were deployed for their training,” Dr. John declared.
The commissioner insisted that the crackdown is necessary to protect its heavy investment in medical manpower, and ensure Akwa Ibom residents enjoy the dividends of world-class healthcare services.
