Health
YUSUF Ahmadi, a radiologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, has called for urgent measures to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system against emergencies, citing staff shortages, insecurity, inadequate equipment and pressure on personnel.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that hospitals required better preparation and standardised facilities to effectively respond to emergencies and deliver quality healthcare services nationwide.
According to him, many hospitals are currently constrained by poor funding, rising insecurity and insufficient manpower, which continue to weaken healthcare delivery across the country.
“The workload is too much and many hospitals also lack the basic equipment needed for daily operations and emergency responses,” he said.
Ahmadi said inadequate tools and limited manpower continued to undermine the efficiency of the health system, making it difficult for professionals to deliver optimal care.
He also raised concerns over worsening insecurity affecting health workers, noting that kidnappings, attacks and robbery incidents had increased fear among medical personnel.
Ahmadi referenced recent cases where health workers were targeted, warning that such conditions were discouraging professionals from remaining in the system.
“The pressure on the remaining workers becomes heavier when people leave because of insecurity,” he said.
Ahmadi also decried insufficient funding for healthcare research and emergency services, saying many medical teams operated without adequate ambulances, supplies and essential emergency equipment.
He explained that although Nigerian health professionals were highly skilled, poor operational support limited their effectiveness in delivering quality healthcare services.
“There is a lack of grants and funding for research. Emergency response is weak because basic things are not available,” he said.
He added that burnout was becoming increasingly common among health workers due to excessive workload and poor working conditions in many facilities.
Ahmadi emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals, noting that weak teamwork and poor mentorship structures were affecting service delivery and patient outcomes.
“Improving mentorship and creating better cooperation between doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and other healthcare professionals would strengthen patient care and emergency response,” he said.
He also called for improved welfare packages, including better salaries, housing support and transportation allowances, to help retain medical professionals within the country.
Ahmadi further urged increased investment in emergency equipment, ambulances and medical supplies, stressing that preparedness was critical for saving lives during public health emergencies such as Hantavirus outbreaks.(NAN)
A.I
May 27, 2026
Tags: Dr Yusuf Ahmadi