Japa Syndrome Cripples Activities At Edo Specialist Hospital As Patients Express Frustration
By Simeon OSAJIE
Medical services at the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH), Benin, have become epileptic, as the exodus of healthcare professionals also referred to as Japa syndrome continues to deplete the facility’s workforce.
Investigation revealed that patients, particularly outpatients who once enjoyed prompt consultations and adequate care, now face long delays, frequent appointment cancellations, and a noticeable decline in service quality, as the few remaining doctors and nurses are overstretched.
It was gathered that several experienced healthcare workers, including specialists, have left the hospital in search of better opportunities abroad, leaving the hospital management struggling to fill the growing gap.
A recent visit by to the hospital revealed that the Dental Care Unit is the latest to be affected, as the hospital’s only orthodontist has reportedly left the country.
It was observed that patients undergoing orthodontic treatment who had scheduled follow-up appointments are now left in limbo, with many told to go home and “wait for a call” pending new arrangements, a wait that appears indefinite.
Further investigation revealed that some affected patients have been forced to seek treatment elsewhere, often having to restart their treatment process entirely.
“I came for a check-up two months ago, only to be told my orthodontist had left the country. They said I would be reassigned and called. Till now, no call. My braces are loose, and two teeth are misaligned. I cannot afford a private dentist like my niece did after we came here together. My parents already paid for the services I am not getting now,” a visibly frustrated patient complained.
A man who identified himself simply as Mr. David lamented, “my son fixed his first braces last year, on check-ups we were made to pay N5,000 to replace any broken brace. Few months after, they said the hospital did not supply braces and that the ones available were sourced from a private clinic, so we were made to be paying N10,000 each. That was the red flag that the treatment was not going to be a smooth ride, but I ignored it.”
A staff of the hospital disclosed that, “majority of those leaving are doctors and nurses. The few of us left are overstretched, and it is beginning to tell on patient care. That is all I can say now. Sir, I suggest you meet the Commissioner for Health at the ministry for details”.
When reached for comments, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, acknowledged the challenges but noted that recent recruitments had been carried out to address the shortfall.
Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole explained that the state government is working on a new incentive model aimed at retaining medical personnel.
“The issue of Japa syndrome is a serious issue, however we just done recruitment, possibly they must have gotten orthodontist. We still need doctors.
“What the state government wants to do is to come up with a model, a form of revenue sharing formula between the doctors and the hospital so that there will not be need for Japa,” He assured.
