Nigeria’s government is taking action to address the widespread migration of healthcare professionals by creating a new national policy. Nwakaego Chukwuodinaka, who serves as deputy director of the Department of Health System and Planning at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, revealed that the proposal was discussed at a recent meeting of the Federal Executive Council. Chukwuodinaka addressed the audience at the conference by discussing the issue of healthcare workers migrating to Africa. The conference was organised by the African Health Observatory Platform (AHOP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Her request is for a controlled migration process with the ability to put it into effect. Approval from the FEC is necessary. Among the crucial aspects of the Health Workforce Policy is providing incentives for those currently working, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Another goal is to establish agreements with countries where professionals are migrating, she explained. They have made an agreement with them to mutually benefit in the recruitment of their medical professionals by providing technology, infrastructure, and exchange programs to support the training of local personnel.
Only 55,000 are left out of the 90,000 registered doctors in Nigeria.
She expressed that the new policy also aims to assist individuals from the diaspora in their efforts to come back home, providing guidance on integration into the system. The rise in migration of healthcare professionals, particularly young doctors and nurses, has severely impacted the sector in Nigeria, resulting in a shortage of staff in many hospitals. Only around 45% of licensed doctors in Nigeria renewed their licenses in 2023. In March 2024, there were around 300,000 active health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and lab technicians.
With a population approaching 220 million people in Nigeria, there are only 55,000 licensed medical doctors left out of the 90,000 registered doctors in the country. This shortage of healthcare professionals puts a strain on those remaining, leading to a national doctor-to-patient ratio of 2.5 per 10,000 individuals. In areas such as Lagos, where there are more doctors concentrated, the ratio is slightly better at 3 doctors per 10,000 people.
A comprehensive strategy is needed to tackle the health worker shortage.
According to the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), there are approximately few doctors serving a population of 24 million, resulting in a ratio of 17 doctors per 10,000 people. The current ratio of nurses to patients in Nigeria falls drastically below the World Health Organization’s suggested ratio of one doctor for every 500 patients and one nurse for every 400 patients. According to data from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, there is only one nurse for every 1,660 citizens in Nigeria.
During a recent interview on television, Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle the significant shortage and uneven distribution of healthcare workers. The main problem the country is facing with healthcare professionals is the lack of an adequate number. There is also a disparity in skill levels and a major issue with uneven distribution. Many doctors trained here are leaving, causing a loss for the country. It is crucial to consider this issue from a comprehensive perspective, focusing not just on doctors but also on other essential healthcare professionals.
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Moreover, the government can stimulate professional growth and advancement in the sector by fostering a culture of continuous learning and development where healthcare professionals can stay in line with the latest medical advancements, technology, and treatment modalities. This not only benefits the individual healthcare worker but also contributes to the overall advancement of the system in Nigeria. By supporting research initiatives, facilitating collaboration with academic institutions, and providing opportunities for professional development, the government can empower healthcare professionals to thrive in their careers and make meaningful contributions to the sectors landscape.
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