More Nigerian hospitals stop operations over medical staff shortage, as doctors, others relocate abroad

A report by Sahara Reporters indicates that the scarcity of medical professionals across essential Nigerian healthcare facilities has reached a critical point, with major teaching and general hospitals grappling with a shortage of personnel. 

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) highlighted the dire situation, attributing it to subpar working conditions and the

 government’s failure to embark on substantial recruitment drives.

Confirming the severity of the issue, the NARD revealed the closure of a ward at the Behavioral Science/Psychiatry section of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) in Ile Ife, Osun State, due to acute personnel shortages.

This revelation follows the recent alarm raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Health, expressing concern over the exodus of Nigerian doctors and nurses relocating abroad, causing a significant decline in the country’s healthcare workforce.

Due to insufficient personnel, the committee flagged the closure of five wards, totalling 150 beds, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Dr Amos Magaji, the committee’s chairman, highlighted the urgency to address the alarming trend of Nigerian medical professionals seeking opportunities overseas, emphasizing the imperative to bolster local healthcare infrastructure and create a conducive and rewarding environment to deter migration.

Dr. Dele Abdullahi, President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), echoed the concerns, citing the LUTH scenario as emblematic of challenges across 52 federal health institutions nationwide. 

Abdullahi emphasized that the severe doctor shortage led to widespread burnout among healthcare workers, proposing a one-for-one replacement policy to mitigate the issue.

Despite interventions by the National Assembly and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdullahi lamented the federal government’s need for concrete action in employing more doctors or addressing the departure of medical professionals from the country.

Abdullahi highlighted the Minister of Health’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in the sector during the National Council of Health (NCH) in Ekiti State. 

He cited alarming statistics from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), revealing a worrisome ratio of one doctor to 10,000 patients, in stark contrast to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended ratio of one doctor to 600 patients.

The president of NARD underscored the worsening situation, emphasizing the daily exodus of doctors from the country. Abdullahi disclosed that between January and July 2023, 900 doctors left Nigeria, with another 900 expressing intentions to follow suit.

His words:

“The issue of shortage of doctors is getting worse, and the government is just beginning to realise.

“The Minister of Health declared a state of emergency in the sector during the just-concluded National Council of Health (NCH) in Ekiti State.

“As of now, a section of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), the Behavioral Science/Psychiatry, has been shut. 

“According to the latest figures from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), there is one doctor to 10,000 patients in Nigeria against the recommended World Health Organisation (WHO) of one doctor to 600 patients.

“I can tell you that it has got worse. Doctors are leaving the country on a daily basis. The situation has resulted in massive burnout of doctors nationwide. NARD is compiling work on the ideal manpower that the country needs. Between January and July 2023, 900 doctors left the country, and another 900 say they want to leave.

“We request for ‘one replace one’ policy. The idea is to maintain even the suboptimal level we were before now. We are hoping that the Federal Government can look at this policy. 

“It is not just about the shortage of doctors in LUTH, but in Lagos. How many doctors do we have in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja? They are insufficient. There is no health institution in Nigeria that can say they have sufficient manpower.”