A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that Nigeria is experiencing a significant shortfall in medical professionals, with just 4 doctors available for every 10,000 people. This doctor-to-patient ratio of 4:10,000 is far below the WHO-recommended standard of 1:600. This disparity highlights a critical gap in the nation’s healthcare system.
The situation has worsened due to the ongoing “medical brain drain,” where thousands of Nigerian doctors are leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. According to the 2021 Women and Men Report, Nigeria had 39,912 doctors in 2017, which increased to 44,021 in 2018. However, the number drastically dropped to 24,640 in 2019. As of 2022, Nigeria ranks as the third-largest contributor of foreign-trained doctors to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), trailing behind India and Pakistan.
President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Francis Faduyile, stated that factors such as insecurity, unemployment, low remuneration, poor infrastructure, and a weak healthcare system are driving doctors to seek employment opportunities in countries like the United States, the UK, Canada, and others. Of the 75,000 doctors registered with the NMA, over 33,000 have left Nigeria, significantly affecting the country’s ability to meet the healthcare needs of its population.
The exodus of doctors leaves many Nigerians without adequate medical consultation, contributing to the nation’s ongoing healthcare challenges.
