In the last five years, the country lost about 15,000 to 16,000 doctors to the Japa syndrome while about 17,000 had been transferred. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, said the brain drain syndrome has robbed the health sector of its best hands. Pate said the government is doing its best to expand the training scheme and motivate others who chose to stay back and serve their fatherland.