UCH laments brain drain as over 600 workers resign

No fewer than 600 health workers have reportedly exited the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, in the last one year.

It was learnt that at least, 15 nurses, doctors and pharmacists, among others exited UCH on a weekly basis.

It was reported that the hospital management called for the removal of the bottlenecks in replacing the workforce due to the mass exodus of health workers.

The UCH Chief Medial Director, Prof Jesse Otegbayo, made the call at a news conference marking the 65th founder’s day celebration of the foremost tertiary health institution in Ibadan on Monday confirmed resignation of clinicians.

He said, “Every week, I sign resignation letters of 15 health workers at the institution, who are mostly clinicians, that is, nurses, doctors and pharmacists, among others.”

Otegbayo said from 2020 to October 15, 2022, no fewer than 600 clinical staff had left the hospital, noting that bureaucracy bottlenecks had been hindering their replacements.

He said there was an acute shortage of manpower due to push and pull factors like poor workers’ welfare and insecurity, among others.

The chief medical director said the institution would continue in its strides as infrastructure and facilities were being overhauled in addition to human capital development.

He commended the institution’s staff members for their dedication and commitment to uplifting the institution by giving in their best and respecting the patients.

Otegbayo said the institution had acquired two sets of AutoClave, 64-Slice CT machines and two mammography machines to improve clinical services.

“It is our style to keep on acquiring equipment that positions the hospital at the forefront of demands for best clinical practices.

“Perhaps one of our most significant achievements in the last 65 years of our existence has been a truly indigenous elaboration and facelift of the University College Hospital,” Otegbayo said.