Nigerians React As Delta State Government Demands Salary Refund From Over 200-Absentee Doctors And Nurses (Details)

The Delta state government has announced that over two hundred absentee doctors and nurses under its payroll will be required to refund their salaries.

Speaking to reporters in Asaba, the state capital, Health Commissioner Dr. Joseph Onojame stated that this action is part of the Oborevwori administration’s efforts to sanitize the health sector in the state.

Dr. Onojame revealed that a recent audit of health institutions, particularly the Delta State University Teaching Hospital in Oghara, uncovered over two hundred ghost workers. He noted that the state has seen a significant loss of healthcare professionals in recent years, with many doctors and nurses leaving the country.

He explained, “When we conducted a thorough investigation, we found out that a lot of them have left, so we had to remove them from the payroll.”

Dr. Onojame also mentioned ongoing efforts to clean up the Department of Nursing, which has been troubled by allegations of examination malpractice, admission racketeering, and corruption.

“The illegal collection that was taken from students for building levy was refunded. There is a lecturer who collected money for scores; that lecturer will be severely dealt with. Some of the nurses were accustomed to ‘PAY FOR SCORE,’ but now there is nothing like that; you must study to pass your exams.”

Reacting to the developments, Comrade Philomena Onokpuvie, State Chairman of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives, commended the government’s policies in the health sector. Onokpuvie described the situation as a significant challenge requiring urgent attention and called for active collaboration between the government, health professionals, and administrators.