Nigeria is experiencing a rapid decline in its medical consultant workforce, with only 6,000 specialists remaining in the country as thousands seek opportunities abroad, medical leaders warned on Thursday.
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) revealed that approximately 1,300 consultants have left the country in the past five years, a trend expected to accelerate as retirement and emigration deplete the healthcare workforce.
“About 1,700 consultants are above 55 years of age,” said MDCAN President Prof. Muhammad Mohammad during the association’s National Executive Council Meeting in Ilorin. “This means in the next five years, they are going to leave the services on retirement.” He noted that the number of consultants would continue to reduce, as long as the country produces only one or two replacements annually.
The dramatic shortage highlights a deepening crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare system, with the country struggling to retain medical professionals amid challenging working conditions and limited career opportunities.
Mohammad highlighted the potential long-term solution of extending the retirement age for medical consultants from 60 to 70 years, which could help mitigate the workforce crisis. The association is also appealing to government authorities to address salary disparities and improve working conditions for medical professionals.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, stressed the critical importance of targeted healthcare policies. “Policies must be domesticated to the peculiarities of our state and nation,” she told the gathering, emphasising the need for effective policy implementation.
Guest speaker Dr. Amos Magaji, a federal lawmaker, underscored the significance of comprehensive healthcare policies, highlighting the National Health Insurance Authority as a potential mechanism to improve healthcare access.
The phenomenon of medical professionals leaving Nigeria – colloquially known as the Japa syndrome – continues to challenge the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. Chairman of the local organising committee, Prof. Kazeem Ibrahim, noted that despite numerous policy formulations, significant improvements in healthcare delivery remain elusive.
Public health experts like Prof. Tanimola Akande are now advising doctors to prioritise their own health and well-being, recognising the immense pressures faced by medical professionals in the current system.
The MDCAN meeting, themed “Policy Making for Quality Healthcare Services: Engaging Policy Makers for Quality Healthcare Delivery,” represents a critical dialogue about addressing the systemic challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
As the country confronts this unprecedented medical workforce crisis, stakeholders are calling for immediate and comprehensive interventions to stem the exodus of medical talent and rebuild the nation’s healthcare capacity.
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