The abduction of resident doctors in Nigeria has reached alarming levels, prompting a plea for immediate intervention from the government. The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has called on federal, state, and local authorities to address the ongoing Security crisis affecting healthcare professionals. This urgent appeal was made during a press conference to announce the 2024 Annual Health Week and Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference, with the theme “Safeguarding the Nigerian Healthcare System.”
At the forefront of the concerns raised by ARD-FCTA President Dr. Rahman Olayinka is the Insecurity faced by medical practitioners, a factor fueling the ongoing “Japa syndrome,” where professionals leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad. Dr. Olayinka highlighted that poor working conditions, inadequate remuneration, and a lack of access to quality healthcare are the primary reasons behind this mass exodus. The grim reality for many Nigerian doctors includes excessive working hours, insufficient medical equipment, and environments that compromise their safety.
Insecurity undermines the morale and efficiency of healthcare workers.
Even more troubling is the irony of healthcare practitioners themselves being unable to access the quality care they strive to provide. According to Dr. Olayinka, these unresolved issues have driven many professionals out of the country, resulting in a severe Brain Drain and further weakening Nigeria’s healthcare system. Also, the issue of insecurity goes beyond the risk of abduction. It undermines the morale and efficiency of healthcare workers while disrupting the delivery of medical services. Dr. Olayinka shared a recent incident involving a doctor being abducted from a hospital. While the doctor was eventually released, the efforts required to secure their freedom underscore the need for urgent action.
Also, he emphasised that retaining skilled healthcare professionals within the country will remain a challenge if these basic guarantees cannot be met. In addition to insecurity, the association has consistently engaged the government on critical Welfare issues, including working conditions, payments as well as resources for healthcare delivery. However, these concerns remain largely unresolved. Many hospitals lack proper medical equipment and a conducive working environment, further eroding the capacity to provide quality care. These deficiencies not only affect healthcare professionals but also compromise the care received by patients nationwide.
An actionable effort is needed to achieve the 2023 UHC goal.
Achieving the 2030 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) target will remain a difficult goal unless the government invests significantly in healthcare Infrastructure and security. They are championing initiatives to enhance primary healthcare services to bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery. Through outreach programs in underserved areas such as Gwarinpa, Bwari and Kuje, the association has worked to bring essential medical services closer to communities. He believes that investing in primary healthcare is the foundation for achieving UHC goals and preventing medical cases from escalating unnecessarily to general or tertiary hospitals.
He acknowledged the efforts of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat for their contributions toward strengthening healthcare services in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These collaborations highlight the importance of collective action in addressing systemic healthcare challenges. As part of its commitment to improving public health, ARD-FCTA announced plans to offer free medical services during the upcoming Health Week. This initiative is aligned with efforts to achieve universal health coverage and to provide relief to communities struggling with limited access to healthcare.
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Lastly, ensuring secure working environments, improving welfare packages, and investing in the healthcare system are critical steps needed to restore confidence among medical professionals. Without these interventions, doctors’ exit and the healthcare sector’s collapse will continue to pose a significant threat to national development. The event theme underscores the urgent need for a united effort to tackle these issues. As it continues its advocacy, the hope remains that its concerns will translate into actionable policies to secure the future of healthcare in Nigeria.