Bayelsa gov laments brain drain in health sector

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has decried the brain drain syndrome in the health sector, saying it is negatively affecting the country.

He also appealed to doctors to consider their oath to save lives and show more commitment to duty.

Diri spoke at the service of songs in honour of the late Mrs Victoria Ali, elder sister of his wife, Gloria Diri, the governor expressed sadness over the cause of her death, which he said would have been prevented if medical personnel handled her case diligently.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as lamenting that in this age and time, someone could die of appendicitis.

The governor claimed that as part of efforts to improve the health sector in the state, his administration had resuscitated the state’s diagnostic centre, stressing that diagnosis was one of the major problems in the health sector and if tackled would significantly contribute to saving lives.

He said the government was sending doctors to Germany to study how to use a newly procured Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine for the state’s diagnostic centre.

He also disclosed that the state will soon take delivery of donated surgery equipment that performs operations without using knives.

Diri urged Bayelsans to take their health seriously and go for regular health checks to prevent avoidable deaths.

He said, “The death of Mrs Ali is a reminder that the brain drain syndrome in our health sector is a serious challenge that is negatively affecting our country. Doctors usually take the oath to save lives and I appeal to them to show more commitment to their duty.

“Let me advise our medical professionals. Some deaths are avoidable and this is one. At this age and time, people should not die of appendicitis.

“It is for this reason we have resuscitated the diagnostic centre. The biggest problem we have is diagnosis. I want Bayelsa to be a medical tourism hub. So we must get our acts right. As a government, we are very concerned and we must sit up.”