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 Emmanuel John, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Uyo on Monday, identified the doctors as Dr Uduakabasi Ita, a Consultant Radiologist, and Dr Mfonobong George Bassey, a Consultant Haematologist, both staff members of the Ministry of Health.
According to him, the government invested heavily in the duo’s training, with the clear expectation that they would serve the state upon completion of their programmes. He lamented that instead of fulfilling this obligation, the doctors left for greener pastures abroad without clearance.
“The state government has repeatedly made it clear that any medical personnel it trains must first serve Akwa Ibom people to offset the cost of their training before seeking opportunities elsewhere,” Dr John stated.
He said the doctors have been given two options: either to return to their duty posts or refund the full cost of their training to government coffers.
“The Ministry of Health has declared them wanted. We will stop their salaries and track them until we find them. Any country they relocate to, we will report to the Medical and Dental Council there and block their practice. It is in their best interest to immediately report to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health,” the commissioner warned.
Dr John further appealed to the families of the doctors to prevail on them to return before regulatory sanctions are invoked. He stressed that henceforth, all medical officers trained at the state’s expense must serve their mandatory years before resignation or relocation.
He concluded that the government would no longer allow its best-trained hands to exit service without first giving back to the people who funded their professional development.
