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Brain Drain Hits Healthcare: Nigeria Left With Just 55,000 Doctors for 220 Million People
Only 55,000 doctors are left to care for more than 220 million Nigerians, according to the NMA, which says over 16,000 doctors have emigrated in the last five years.
Nigeria’s medical sector is battling a worsening brain drain crisis, as experts reveal that only 55,000 doctors are currently available to serve the country’s population of more than 220 million people.
Speaking at the ARD conference in Lagos, medical practitioners warned that the mass migration of healthcare workers under the Japa trend has deepened treatment gaps, increased costs of care and placed enormous burdens on the few doctors left behind.
NMA President, Prof. Omoti Ernest, said that despite over 130,000 doctors being registered by the MDCN, only about 55,000 are practising within the country, translating to roughly one doctor for every 3,600 to 4,000 Nigerians.
“Many Nigerian-trained doctors have emigrated or are no longer engaged in active clinical practice, contributing to the country’s healthcare workforce shortage,” he stated.
The doctors also warned that the shortage is particularly devastating for mental healthcare, noting that more than 40 million Nigerians suffer from mental health disorders, while about 85 per cent lack access to mental healthcare services.
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