Nigeria’s healthcare system is collapsing under the weight of a tragic reality: One doctor for every 8,000 patients. Imagine that: A country with over 240 million people, yet only about 30,000 doctors to care for them. It’s a situation so dire that it threatens not just the future of healthcare, but the very lives of Nigerians. But here’s the kicker: this crisis is man-made.
For the past five years, more than 15,000 doctors have fled Nigeria, searching for better opportunities abroad. As they pack their bags and leave for places like the UK, US, and Saudi Arabia, they take with them a piece of Nigeria’s future. And as the exodus continues, Nigeria is left with a healthcare system on life support.
“We’re Not Just Leaving; We’re Running”
At the Nigerian Medical Association’s (NMA) Annual Delegates Conference in Katsina, NMA President, Professor Bala Muhammad-Audu, couldn’t hold back his frustration.
The population is increasing. The demand on individual doctors is skyrocketing. But doctors are leaving at an alarming rate,” he said. “We’re losing the very people trained to save lives.”
It’s a stark reality. While Nigerian doctors are revered globally for their skills, their own government fails to provide the working conditions they deserve. And the result? A healthcare system that is being overwhelmed and undermined by its own doctors’ departures.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
In an ideal world, the doctor-patient ratio should be 1:600, an optimal standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO). But in Nigeria? 1:8,000. That’s a 1,300% overcrowded system.
For a clearer understanding: Nigeria’s population stands at 240 million, but the country only has 30,000 practicing doctors. This has left the remaining healthcare workforce overworked, underpaid, and burnt out.
If you’re waiting to see a doctor in any of Nigeria’s public hospitals, it’s likely you’re waiting for hours, or even days. And when you finally get seen, it’s a rushed consultation because the doctors simply don’t have the time.
Why Are They Leaving?
The reasons are painfully clear, and they’re not just about money. Sure, low pay, inadequate healthcare facilities, and unsafe working conditions are pushing many to search for opportunities elsewhere. But there’s more, far more.
Doctors in Nigeria are often unpaid for months, they work in overcrowded hospitals, with broken equipment, and face the constant threat of violence. Many have lost the passion for their profession, not because they don’t care, but because the system forces them to choose between their dignity and their survival.
As Professor Muhammad-Audu pointed out, many doctors are still owed seven months of unpaid salaries. When healthcare workers go months without pay, they’re forced to look elsewhere, usually beyond the borders of Nigeria.
The Human Toll
The numbers and statistics are one thing, but what about the real lives impacted by this crisis? Take a mother giving birth in a public hospital for example, she’s not just worried about the safety of her newborn, she’s worried about waiting for hours to see a doctor because the hospital can’t handle the number of patients
Or a child with a fever, whose family can’t afford private care, left in a system that is simply not enough. Even the helpless elderly in need of immediate medical attention, we are facing a public health emergency that no one seems to be taking seriously enough.
A Failing System, A Fading Future
If the government doesn’t act now, the situation will only get worse.
In Abuja, ARD-FCTA (Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration) went on a brief strike this week, paralyzing health services in the capital. While the strike was resolved after some demands were met, it’s a warning shot. A warning that even the remaining doctors are fed up with a system that exploits them.
But the government must do more than offer temporary fixes. They need to pay outstanding salaries. They need to invest in healthcare infrastructure. And they need to ensure doctors feel valued, not just in words, but in their paychecks, in their working conditions, and in their professional respect.
The Brain Drain Isn’t Over; It’s Just Getting Started
The truth is that the brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare sector is accelerating. Medical professionals have been leaving in droves, and nothing is being done to stop it. We are losing some of our brightest minds to countries that know how to value their healthcare workers.
And this exodus shows no sign of slowing down. The United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and other nations actively seek Nigerian doctors because they know the talent is there. They know these doctors can handle the toughest challenges. But unfortunately, many of these doctors are taking their skills and their hearts elsewhere, because they can no longer bear the weight of Nigeria’s healthcare crisis.
What Can We Do?
It’s not enough to hope things improve. Nigerians deserve better, and Nigerian doctors deserve better. The NMA has called for universal implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) across all sectors. This could help stabilize the sector and reduce the brain drain.
But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. The government needs to commit to a comprehensive reform of the healthcare system, starting with better working conditions, fair pay, and improved resources for hospitals. We cannot afford to wait until the system collapses entirely; the time to act is now.
Final Prescription: Urgent Action Required
The fact is this: Nigeria is running out of time, our doctors are leaving, our hospitals are understaffed, and the nation’s health is in serious jeopardy. We can’t afford to ignore this crisis any longer. If Nigeria continues to treat its healthcare workers with indifference, there may come a day when there are simply no doctors left to care for us.
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