LunagisthubNigeria’s Healthcare Crisis: A Looming Disaster
Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing an unprecedented crisis, with over 4,000 doctors and dentists leaving the country in 2024 alone. According to a recent report by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the migration of health workers has surged by 200% between 2023 and 2024, with a total of 43,221 healthcare professionals relocating abroad within the two-year period.
The report reveals that the UK is the top destination for Nigerian doctors and dentists, with 66% of them migrating there. Nurses and midwives are also leaving in large numbers, with over 23,000 migrating in 2024 alone. Pharmacists and medical laboratory scientists are also exiting the country, with Canada, the UK, and Australia being their preferred destinations.
The exodus of healthcare professionals has left many hospitals and clinics severely understaffed, stretching the remaining workforce thin and undermining patient care, especially in underserved rural communities. The doctor-to-population ratio is a staggering 1:5,000, against the WHO recommendation of 1:600.
Despite the challenges, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, insists that the Federal Government remains committed to reversing the trend. The government has recruited over 37,000 healthcare workers since 2023, but the workforce gap continues to widen.
To address this crisis, the government needs to prioritize the welfare of the healthcare workers, including providing better pay, improved working conditions, and opportunities for career growth. The government should also address the urban-rural inequality in healthcare worker distribution, ensuring that rural communities have access to quality healthcare.
The healthcare sector is a critical component of any nation’s development, and it’s time for Nigeria to take bold steps to address this crisis. The fate of the country’s healthcare system hangs in the balance, and it’s up to the government and stakeholders to act .
Lunagisthub
