Minister Salako Urges Health Workers to Resist Japa Syndrome’s Allure

Minister of Health Adekunle Salako’s Plea: Resist Japa Syndrome in Healthcare

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako, has urged Nigerian healthcare professionals to resist the “Japa syndrome”—a term describing the emigration of skilled workers seeking better opportunities abroad.

Speaking at the 8th Annual Abuja Cardiovascular Symposium themed “Sudden Cardiac Death,” Salako emphasized the federal government’s commitment to collaborating with healthcare workers to address the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.

Salako encouraged healthcare workers to remain dedicated to improving Nigerian healthcare and to resist the pull of the “Japa syndrome,” which has seen many medical professionals leave for better opportunities abroad.

The symposium attracted over 800 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and medical specialists from both within Nigeria and abroad.

It focused on life-saving interventions such as ECG interpretation, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), which are critical to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Salako commended the efforts of Cardiocare Hospitals Abuja and Iseko Iseko, Group Managing Director of Limi Hospital Group, for organizing the event and contributing to reducing medical tourism while improving local healthcare delivery.

In his keynote address, Prof. Augustine Odili, President of the Nigeria Cardiac Society, advocated for the inclusion of basic life support training at multiple education levels to better manage sudden cardiac deaths.

Meanwhile, Iseko Iseko highlighted the symposium’s significant role in enhancing healthcare delivery and reducing the country’s reliance on medical tourism.

The symposium’s practical sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and in-depth discussions underscored Nigeria’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and training healthcare professionals to provide excellent medical services within the country.