Nigeria’s healthcare sector is facing a deepening crisis as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says only about 55,000 doctors are currently practicing in the country despite a population of over 220 million people.
The alarming disclosure has raised fresh concerns about the state of healthcare delivery across the country, particularly as hospitals continue to struggle with severe manpower shortages.
The warning was issued during the Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.
The conference focused on the growing pressure on healthcare workers and the impact of doctor shortages on patient care, especially in the mental health sector.
Medical experts at the event said Nigeria’s healthcare system is under serious strain, with too few doctors left to meet the growing needs of millions of patients nationwide.
They warned that the shortage has become more severe due to the increasing migration of healthcare professionals to foreign countries in search of better opportunities.
According to the doctors, at least 16,000 Nigerian doctors have left the country in the last five years alone, leaving public hospitals overstretched and worsening access to quality medical care.
They noted that the mass exit of doctors has significantly affected psychiatric and mental healthcare services, with many vulnerable Nigerians now struggling to access timely treatment.
The situation, they said, has widened treatment gaps, increased healthcare costs, and placed enormous pressure on the limited number of specialists still working in the country.
Speaking on the development, President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Omoti Ernest, confirmed the worsening shortage.
He said available records show that although over 130,000 doctors have been registered by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), only around 55,000 are still actively practicing within Nigeria.
“This ratio is far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended threshold of one doctor to about 600 people, highlighting the significant shortage of medical personnel and the strain on healthcare delivery.
“Many Nigerian-trained doctors have emigrated or are no longer engaged in active clinical practice, contributing to the country’s healthcare workforce shortage,” he said.
Prof. Ernest stated that the continued departure of skilled medical professionals has created serious challenges for hospitals across Nigeria.
He said many hospitals are now operating under intense pressure due to reduced manpower, leading to heavier workloads for doctors who remain in service.
“Thousands of doctors and other healthcare professionals have left the country in recent years, leading to severe staff shortages, increased workload for those who remain with many suffering from burnout, longer waiting times for patients, and declining quality of care in many public hospitals.
“Rural and under-served communities have been particularly affected, as they already struggle with limited access to healthcare services.
‘’The reasons behind this migration include poor remuneration, inadequate working conditions, insecurity, limited opportunities for career advancement, and insufficient investment in healthcare infrastructure, among others.
“Many professionals are attracted by better pay, improved facilities, and more stable environments in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.”