By Solomon OKPO
The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared two medical doctors wanted for abandoning their duty posts despite being fully trained at the expense of the state for eight years.
Those declared wanted are Dr. Uduakabasi Ita, a Consultant Radiologist, and Dr. Mfonobong George Bassey, a Consultant Hematologist, both staff of the State Ministry of Health.
Announcing the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, said the action was necessary to safeguard the state’s investments in medical manpower and ensure residents benefit from the doctors’ expertise.
He explained that the affected doctors have two options: either to resume at their duty posts in the state civil service or refund the resources expended on their training by the government.
Dr. John stressed that the government will no longer tolerate situations where highly trained professionals abandon service for “greener pastures” without fulfilling their obligations to the state and its people.
“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 the Akwa Ibom people whose resources were deployed for their training,” the Commissioner declared.
The move signals a tougher stance by the state government against what it describes as the “abdication of duty” by health professionals trained with public funds.
