Medical experts have raised concerns over Nigeria’s worsening healthcare workforce crisis, revealing that only about 55,000 doctors are currently practicing in a country with a population exceeding 220 million people.
The warning was issued during a conference in Lagos, where healthcare professionals highlighted the growing impact of the migration of Nigerian doctors and other medical personnel to foreign countries in search of better opportunities.
According to the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Omoti Ernest, although more than 130,000 doctors have been registered by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), only about 55,000 remain actively engaged in medical practice within the country.
He explained that the current figures translate to approximately one doctor for every 3,600 to 4,000 Nigerians, significantly below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of one doctor to 600 people.
Medical experts disclosed that more than 16,000 Nigerian doctors have left the country over the past five years, a trend they said has intensified pressure on the healthcare system.
They noted that the shortage has resulted in increased workloads for healthcare workers, longer waiting times for patients, and a decline in the quality of healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Mental health specialists also expressed concern over the state of psychiatric care in Nigeria, revealing that fewer than 150 psychiatrists are currently available to serve millions of Nigerians. They warned that the shortage has left a significant proportion of individuals living with mental health conditions without access to adequate treatment and support.
Experts attributed the continued exodus of healthcare professionals to poor remuneration, inadequate working conditions, insecurity, limited opportunities for career advancement, and insufficient investment in healthcare infrastructure.
They called on the government to urgently implement measures aimed at improving healthcare workers’ welfare, upgrading medical facilities, and creating incentives that would encourage doctors and other health professionals to remain in the country.
The experts stressed that addressing the workforce shortage is critical to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring better health outcomes for Nigerians.
