Nigeria’s Healthcare Crisis Deepens: Only 55,000 Doctors Left for Over 220 Million People

Nigeria’s Healthcare Crisis Deepens: Only 55,000 Doctors Left for Over 220 Million People

Nigeria’s healthcare sector is facing a serious manpower crisis, as medical experts reveal that only about 55,000 doctors are currently serving a population of more than 220 million people.

The alarming revelation was made during a conference organized by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos. Healthcare professionals warned that the continuous migration of doctors abroad, popularly known as the “Japa” syndrome, is worsening the country’s healthcare challenges.

According to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), more than 16,000 Nigerian doctors have left the country in the last five years in search of better opportunities. Although over 130,000 doctors have been registered by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), only about 55,000 remain actively practicing within the country.

Experts say the doctor-to-patient ratio is now far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of one doctor to 600 people. The shortage is particularly severe in mental healthcare, where less than 150 psychiatrists are available to serve millions of Nigerians battling mental health conditions.

Medical professionals blame the exodus on poor salaries, inadequate working conditions, insecurity, limited career growth opportunities, and insufficient healthcare infrastructure. They warn that the situation has increased workload, burnout, longer waiting times, and reduced quality of care across many hospitals.

Doctors are urging the government to improve welfare packages, invest in healthcare facilities, expand specialist training, and create incentives that will encourage professionals to remain in Nigeria.

Without urgent intervention, experts fear that the country’s healthcare system could face even greater challenges in the years ahead.