The House of Representatives Committee on Health has expressed concern about the shortage of health workers at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, stating that a large number of patients are unable to be attended to, News About Nigeria reports.
Dr. Amos Magaji, chairman of the committee, conveyed this information after a visit to the hospital, revealing that not less than five wards with about 150 beds have been closed down.
He noted that the hospital had no choice but to shut down the wards due to the fact that the patients outnumbered the available health workers, making it impossible for them to attend to everyone.
According to him, the hospital receives a large number of patients on a daily basis. However, he attributed the shortage of health workers in the hospital to the Japa syndrome, pointing out that many health workers had left in search of better conditions in other countries.
Magaji expressed sadness over this situation, emphasizing that the relocation of health workers puts the institution at risk of brain drain.
He also highlighted the alarming rate at which health workers in Nigeria are leaving the country to seek greener pastures, considering it a national embarrassment.
Nevertheless, he assured that his committee would collaborate with the Federal Government and the management of the teaching hospital to find a lasting solution to this problem affecting the country.
He stated that while the problem cannot be fixed in a day, his committee, in conjunction with the government, will explore immediate ways to create lasting solutions.
