Kwara State is having a hard time finding doctors, even though the government has approved new job positions. This is because many Nigerian doctors are moving abroad for better opportunities — a trend known as the ‘Japa’ syndrome.

Dr. Abdulraheem Abdulmalik, head of the State Hospital Management Board, shared this during a press briefing in Ilorin. He said, “We’ve been allowed to hire, but there are no doctors to hire. Many leave their jobs in the morning and get another one the same day.”

Right now, Kwara only has 99 doctors, but it needs at least 180 to 200 to serve its people properly. The government increased salaries recently, and that helped bring back three doctors. But it’s still not enough.

To help solve the problem, the state is working on a digital tool. This tool will help patients check which doctors are available in each of the 45 hospitals in real time. This will reduce waiting times and medical emergencies caused by delays.

The situation is even worse in rural areas. To attract more doctors, the government is planning to give better pay and benefits that can compete with what is offered abroad.

There’s also a long-term plan. The state will start sponsoring medical students and require them to work in Kwara after graduation. This plan should start helping in about four years, as it targets students already in clinical training.

Dr. Abdulmalik also mentioned that while some nurses are also leaving the country, the number is not as high — especially among female nurses, who often have more reasons to stay close to home.