The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, Lagos, Dr. Adedamola Dada, has disclosed that the hospital is actively employing retired specialists as part of measures to address staffing challenges.
In an interview in Lagos, Dr. Dada attributed the need for such measures to factors like the “Japa syndrome” and emphasised the hospital’s commitment to expanding services in the face of challenges.
“For us, we are expanding our services. And you can go around to see that we are expanding our services. And that is because once there is a problem, we don’t believe that we should fold our hands and let the problem overwhelm us. Rather, what do we do? We try to think through the problem and find a solution,” stated Dr. Dada.
He highlighted the strategy of actively encouraging retired specialists, including consultants and nurses, to return to service. Additionally, creating an enabling environment within the hospital is seen as essential to retaining existing health workers.
Dr. Dada acknowledged the resignations within the system but expressed confidence that the impact has not been overly severe, thanks to programmes and alternatives designed to replace those who leave.
“People are resigning. Some people are resigning. But I can tell you categorically that the impact has not been too severe for us. And that is not because people are not resigning, but because we have been able to design programmes and alternatives to ensure that we are in a position to replace some of these people who are resigning. Yes, it is a problem in the system, but we must not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by problems,” the CMD explained.
