The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared two medical doctors wanted for allegedly abandoning their duty posts after benefiting from eight years of state-sponsored training.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, disclosed this during a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday. He identified the affected personnel as Dr. Uduakabasi Ita, a Consultant Radiologist, and Dr. Mfonobong Bassey, a Consultant Haematologist, both staff of the state Ministry of Health.
According to Dr. John, the doctors left their official positions in pursuit of “greener pastures” without fulfilling their mandatory service to the state.
“The state government has repeatedly said that any medical personnel it trains are bound to first serve the state to cover the cost of the training before they will be allowed to leave for greener pastures,” the commissioner explained.
He said the Ministry of Health had therefore declared them wanted, stressing that the government would take measures to enforce accountability.
“We will stop their salaries; track them until we find them. Any country they go to, we will approach the Medical and Dental Council of that country and we will stop them. It is in their best interest to immediately report to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health,” Dr. John warned.
The commissioner appealed to the families of the absconding doctors to reach out to them and encourage them to return to their duty posts before disciplinary measures escalate.
He further announced that henceforth, all medical officers trained by the Akwa Ibom State Government would be required to serve the agreed number of years in the state before they could resign or relocate. Those unwilling to serve would be compelled to refund all resources spent on their training.
Dr. John emphasized that the government would not allow the state’s best medical professionals to abandon service to citizens after years of public investment in their development.
He also commended Governor Umo Eno for declaring a state of emergency in the health sector, assuring that under the ARISE Agenda, Akwa Ibom is poised to achieve a world-class health system that prioritizes the wellbeing of its people.
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