Amid the ongoing Japa phenomenon impacting the healthcare sector and causing a significant shortage of personnel in government health facilities, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has taken decisive action. He has greenlit a special employment protocol to facilitate the immediate replacement of departing health practitioners with qualified individuals. This measure bypasses the need for direct government approval, streamlining the process to ensure swift staffing transitions.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, disclosed this development during a meeting with the newly elected executive members of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Ogun State Chapter. Held at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Talabi underscored the importance of this procedural shift, emphasizing its relevance in the current healthcare landscape.
Traditionally, every hiring decision within the public service necessitated the governor’s endorsement before implementation. However, Talabi highlighted that this new directive marks a departure from that norm. Governor Abiodun’s recent authorization grants the health ministry autonomy to promptly recruit suitable personnel to address vacancies resulting from staff attrition.
“This special approval, tailored for the health sector, empowers the ministry to efficiently manage staffing gaps triggered by internal dynamics,” Talabi stated. By eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, the government aims to bolster the resilience of the healthcare workforce and ensure uninterrupted service delivery amid ongoing challenges.