…Declares Two Doctors Wanted
By Patrick Titus
The Akwa Ibom State government has resolved to check the trend where medical personnel, after being trained with the state’s resources to improve on their proficiency, later abandon the state for greener pasture abroad.
This development followed two medical doctors in the state government employment namely Dr. Uduakabasi Ita, a Consultant Radiologist, and Dr. Mfonobong George Bassey, a Consultant Hematologist, both staff of the state Ministry of Health, who left the service against the set rules.
Addressing journalists in Uyo, the state capital on Monday over the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John said that the two doctors have abdicated their duty post after being trained for eight years.
Dr. John added that the two doctors left their duty post for greener pastures without, first, serving the state to cover the cost of their training by the state government.
The Commissioner said the state government gave the doctors two options: to either resume at their duty posts in the state civil service, or refund all resources spent on their training by the state government.
His words: “The state government has repeatedly said any medical personnel it trains is bound to first, serve the state to cover the cost of the training before being allowed to leave for greener pastures.
“The Ministry of Health has declared them wanted. We will stop their salaries, track them until we find them. Any country they go to, we will go to the Medical and Dental Council of that Country and we will stop them.
“It is in their best interest to immediately report to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health and we would not be held liable once the Medical and Dental Council begins to sit.
“Now that they’ve not been invited and there is no issue, we ask that their families reach out to them to immediately report to the Ministry of Health,” he stated.
The Commissioner for Health stated that henceforth, all medical officers trained by the state government must serve out the agreed number of years in the state before being allowed to resign.
He insisted that government will not allow its best hands to exit service for ‘greener pastures’ without first, serving Akwa Ibom people whose resources were deployed for their training.
Meanwhile, study leave in Akwa Ibom State Civil Service states thus: “When you are granted study leave with pay, it comes with a binding obligation. By accepting such leave, you automatically agree to serve a mandatory bonding period as clearly stated in your approval letter”.
During this period, resignation from service is not permissible, as the law requires you to either fulfill your bonded service or refund the financial benefits you received while on leave.
The “money” referred to in such situation is not a vague concept, it specifically refers to the basic salary you earned during your study leave. If you attempt to resign without completing your bonded years, and the matter goes to court, you will be directed either to refund the salary paid to you during the study leave or to return to your duty post to complete the required service period.
It is also important to note that under the Public Service Rules, in-service training does not exceed three (3) years. This means the maximum period of bond.
