The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared two medical doctors wanted for allegedly abandoning their posts in the state civil service after completing eight years of government-sponsored training.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, during a press briefing in Uyo.
The doctors, Dr. Uduakabasi Ita, a Consultant Radiologist, and Dr. Mfonobong Bassey, a Consultant Haematologist, are staff of the state Ministry of Health. According to the commissioner, they left their positions without fulfilling the mandatory service period required to repay the cost of their state-funded medical education.
State Government Issues Warning
Dr. John expressed the government’s disappointment, noting that both doctors benefited from an eight-year training program fully funded by the state.
He stressed that the administration has always maintained that medical personnel trained with public funds must serve the state before pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
“The state government has repeatedly stated that any medical personnel it trains are required to serve the state to cover the cost of their training before they are allowed to move on,” Dr. John said. “The Ministry of Health has declared them wanted. We will suspend their salaries and track them until they are found. If they relocate abroad, we will notify the Medical and Dental Council in that country to ensure they are held accountable.”
Dr. John also warned that if the doctors do not voluntarily return to their posts, the state will take legal steps to recover the full cost of their training. Families of the doctors were urged to encourage them to report to the ministry immediately.
