As Nigeria celebrates 64 years of independence today, the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association says progress in the health sector since independence is being undermined by poor remuneration, outdated equipment and emigration of medical professionals.
Doctors acknowledged the sector’s resilience amid these challenges, but expressed concern about how long the current momentum could continue without swift action.
The association called for urgent and viable interventions to retain health workers by implementing better remuneration, increased security, and improved access to the latest diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
Around 16,000 doctors have left the country in the past five years, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Care Professor Ali Pate said in March.
He pointed out that of the 300,000 medical professionals in the country, 90,000 are registered doctors, but only 55,000 of these remain qualified doctors in the country.
The don also said that more than 75 per cent of Nigeria-trained health workers leave the country to seek opportunities abroad.
Mr Pate said the health sector was “barely managing” and said the government was beginning to take steps to “expand training and working conditions”.
However, while the government is focused on training new health professionals, prominent experts in the field say the country does not have enough health workers to fill vacancies and meet the health needs of its people. It is said that it will take 20 years to produce a new person.
To further address human capital challenges in the health sector, President Bola Tinubu in August implemented the National Policy on Migration of Health Workers to Reverse Japa Syndrome.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NMA, Professor Bala Audu, in his assessment of the health sector said that despite producing skilled health professionals for both Nigeria and the international community since independence, the sector continues to face significant challenges. He pointed out that
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, he said that the economic situation of the country has a significant impact on the performance of the health sector.
“We have also done a lot in the field of medical research that impacts humanity,” Audu said. “However, as in other parts of the world, as we grow, challenges arise. However, as we grow, challenges arise. If you think about it, the big challenges we face in healthcare are also directly related to economic challenges.”
The NMA President further emphasized that equipping hospitals with modern infrastructure is a major challenge due to the high costs as well as the burden of maintaining and repairing outdated equipment.
However, he stressed that the most serious problem is the lack of highly skilled professionals, many of whom are leaving the country for various reasons.
“Our biggest and saddest moment is that a significant proportion of highly skilled medical professionals of all ages are leaving this country to practice in other countries, leaving our country to practice in other countries. I think it’s time we saw the many reasons why we believe it can be done.
“But overall, if you look at our overall performance as a nation, I think the health sector remains one of the sectors that has stood the test of time. But how long can we sustain this? I think we’re going to need a lot of input from government, the private sector, and individual practitioners on how to do this,” Audu said.
While offering solutions to the challenges, the NMA President reiterated the importance of a well-equipped working environment, adequate security of life and property, and a combination of appropriate remuneration to retain healthcare workers. .
“If you have those things in place, that means a combination of good facilities, good security, respect for both staff and patients, and a work environment where people can come and go.” You will have access to quality medical care at an affordable price. The third is safety of life and property.
“However, all three important factors are predicated on sufficient funding and a commitment to effectively utilize such funding,” the doctor said.
He urged Nigerians to remain patriotic and contribute their quota to make the country “the greatest country in the world”.
The Lagos State NMA Chairman, Dr. Saheed Babajide, said the progress so far achieved in the health sector over the past eight years has diminished.
He pointed out that while cases of Japa syndrome are increasing among medical workers, soaring drug prices have made it difficult for people to treat the disease, leading them to rely on traditional medicine.
Babajide blamed low wages for medical professionals and hospital closures, adding that the health sector was “in decline”.
“The health sector is not improving. The leaders and authorities in charge of the health sector in Nigeria, as well as the states, have failed miserably to improve the health sector. Just as the president has changed the direction of the economy, “If Nigeria wants to move forward, the president should look for people who have domestic knowledge, not foreign knowledge, to meet the needs of Nigeria’s health sector.” said the NMA chairman.
Babajide called on the President to reduce or eradicate Japa syndrome by increasing the remuneration of health workers in line with the current economic situation.
He advocated the introduction of benefits such as tax-free telecommuting allowances and home and car loans, as well as training and retraining of doctors in management and specialist courses.
“Increase budgetary allocation to the health sector.In order to reduce medical tourism, establish comprehensive and specific specialized centers in geopolitical zones of the country, namely general surgery centres, pediatric centers, plastic surgery centres, Construction of obstetrics and gynecology center, internal medicine center, kidney center, heart center, etc.
“Establishing infectious disease hospitals in each political zone and later in each province, improving the national health insurance system to ensure better, broader and more effective universal health coverage, and providing medicines, medical equipment and , reducing equipment costs.”
