The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced an increase in the enrollment quota for medical, nursing, and other health schools from 28,000 to 64,000. This increase, which will take effect from the next academic year, aims to address the shortage of healthcare workers in the country. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, made this announcement at a Ministerial Sectoral Briefing in Abuja. Nigeria has a quota system for medical courses in tertiary institutions, which is managed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
This quota is based on the carrying capacity of each institution and is reviewed periodically. For the 2022/2023 academic year, the quota for medical schools in Nigeria was based on the carrying capacity of each institution, with universities such as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and University of Benin (UNIBEN) having quotas ranging from 110 to 150 students. The increase in enrollment quota for medical, nursing, and other health schools is aimed at addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in Nigeria.
Health sector has lost many practitioners to brain drain.
Of course, the country has been experiencing a Brain Drain in the health sector, with many healthcare professionals leaving the country to seek better opportunities abroad. The government hopes that by increasing the number of healthcare workers produced in the country, it can reduce brain drain and improve healthcare services. This is a critical step, as the country has been struggling with a significant shortage of healthcare workers, with a recent report indicating that Nigeria has only 3,000 doctors annually, which is grossly inadequate.
Because of this, the Federal Government has put in place plans and strategies to increase the population of medical and dental doctors from 5,000 to 10,000. This will be achieved through an increase in admissions into medical and dental institutions, as well as the establishment of new medical schools. The government has also disbursed ₦25 billion from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to 23 states to support the increase in healthcare workforce. This fund is aimed at supporting the states in their efforts to strengthen their healthcare systems and provide quality healthcare services to their citizens.
FG plans to increase the population of medical and dental doctors.
Despite the increase in enrollment quota, the health sector in Nigeria still faces several challenges. These include inadequate equipment, insecurity, poor working conditions, and low salaries. The government has acknowledged these challenges and has promised to address them to make the healthcare environment more attractive to healthcare workers. This is critical, as the brain drain in the health sector is not only affecting the quality of healthcare services but also leading to a significant loss of skilled manpower.
Further, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has also disclosed that the Federal Government is putting in place plans and strategies to increase the population of medical and dental doctors from 5,000 to 10,000. This will be achieved through an increase in admissions into medical and dental institutions, as well as the establishment of new medical schools. The government is also working to create room to produce more and excess healthcare workers, as globally, there is a shortage of health manpower, estimated at 18 million personnel.
Related Article: Why Nig. doctors emigrate–NMA President
In addition, the government is working to expand opportunities to all other health professionals like pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, community health extension workers, radiographers, and others. This will be done in phases, with the aim of producing a sufficient number of healthcare workers to meet the country’s healthcare needs. The increase in enrollment quota for medical, nursing, and other health schools is a welcome development in Nigeria’s health sector. The government’s plans to increase the healthcare workforce and address the challenges in the sector are also laudable.