Renowned authorities in Nigeria’s healthcare sector have expressed their belief that, given the prevailing issue of brain drain, it is unfeasible to produce an adequate workforce to effectively address the country’s escalating healthcare requirements.
They argued that it would necessitate a minimum of two decades for Nigeria to train the requisite 400,000 healthcare professionals essential to bridge the gap and meet the healthcare demands of the nation’s 220 million citizens.
In an exclusive conversation with US Healthwise, these seasoned medical experts highlighted Nigeria’s concerning ratio of one doctor to every 8,000 patients, a figure in stark contrast to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of one doctor per 600 patients.
Notably, Professor Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, recently emphasized that the country still lacks approximately 400,000 healthcare workers to effectively address the healthcare needs of Nigerians.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja following a three-day briefing session with various departments and agencies under the ministry, Pate stated, “The 400,000 workforce encompasses community health workers, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physicians, laboratory scientists, technicians, and auxiliary staff who contribute to the Nigerian healthcare system.”
The minister clarified that this healthcare workforce falls short of the required numbers to adequately serve a population of 220 million, highlighting that the doctor-to-population ratio in the country falls below the World Health Organization’s recommended standard.
He further emphasized that there is still room for expansion in healthcare personnel because there is a global shortage of healthcare workers, with a deficit of nearly 18 million individuals worldwide.
According to the General Medical Council (GMC) register in the United Kingdom, the count of Nigerian-trained doctors actively practicing in the UK has surged to 11,001. The GMC, a public entity, maintains the official registry of medical practitioners within the UK.
Professor Mike Ogirima, a former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, conveyed concerns about the substantial emigration of Nigerian healthcare workers to foreign nations, largely driven by the pursuit of better opportunities. He emphasized the toll this migration has taken on the dwindling number of doctors remaining within Nigeria’s healthcare system. Ogirima described the doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria as deeply concerning.
Currently, Nigeria only produces an average of 3,000 doctors annually, leading to a substantial shortage of doctors in the country. The gap is estimated at approximately 280,000 doctors, which would require a decade to bridge at the current rate of production. This deficit increases when other healthcare professionals are considered, necessitating a doubling of the rate to catch up.
Nigeria currently faces a doctor-to-population ratio of one doctor for every 8,000 people, a far cry from the WHO’s recommended ratio of one doctor for every 600 individuals. This shortage significantly impacts the workload and fatigue of doctors working in Nigerian hospitals.
Approximately 45,000 doctors practice in Nigeria today, with a substantial number having emigrated. It is projected that it will take another 10 years to train the necessary healthcare workers to address this shortage.
Professor Ogirima further disclosed that in 2016, around 20,000 Nigerian doctors practiced in the United States, with an additional 15,000 in various European countries. In 2017, the chairman of the Lagos branch of the NMA, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, revealed that roughly 40,000 of the 75,000 registered medical doctors in Nigeria were practicing abroad. Alarmingly, 75 percent of the doctors remaining in Nigeria expressed intentions to leave the country.
Ogirima urged the government to invest in healthcare worker training and address security challenges. He stressed that retaining healthcare workers would be difficult without proper equipment and motivation.
Meanwhile, Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo, Chief Medical Director of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, emphasized the importance of retaining the healthcare workforce within the country. He expressed concern that, as Nigeria continues to produce healthcare professionals, they are departing for better opportunities abroad.
Olumide Akintayo, a former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, noted the challenges in producing 400,000 health workers due to limited human resources within universities. He suggested opening restricted borders in healthcare and promoting teamwork among healthcare professionals as potential solutions.
The issue of mass emigration of healthcare professionals, particularly doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, remains a critical concern in Nigeria.
