NMA Cries Out as Doctor-Patient Ratio Worsens

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed concerns over the country’s worsening doctor-patient ratio, which is now about 1,000 percent less than the World Health Organisation’s recommendation.

NMA President Bala Audu made this known during an interactive meeting with the Abuja media on Wednesday, July 17.

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Audu highlighted a recent survey among new medical graduates, which revealed a strong preference for leaving the country rather than staying to practice. “Your guess is as good as mine,” he said, referring to the graduates’ inclination to seek opportunities abroad.

The NMA president emphasized the need to address this critical issue, citing the alarming trend of healthcare worker emigration. “It’s something that is worsening, but it is something that we can mitigate. And I think that is the essence of such interactive forums, not to keep crying about our problems, but to profile solutions to these problems,” he added.

Experts attribute the exodus of healthcare professionals to inadequate equipment, worsening insecurity, poor working conditions, and a poor salary structure. According to data from the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, approximately 1,056 consultants left the country between 2019 and 2023 in search of better opportunities.

Audu identified several factors that contribute to healthcare professionals leaving the country, including poor working conditions, inadequate equipment, and a poor salary structure.

He emphasized the need to improve the well-being of healthcare providers, including their take-home package, healthcare, education, and workplace environment.

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The NMA president also stressed the importance of providing accommodation for healthcare providers, especially during internship training.

“We train these people with a lot of money.This country invests so much in training every doctor, nurse, dentist, and other healthcare provider, but how many of them do we take up after they graduate, despite the challenges we have in terms of the demand power for health? So if we don’t employ them early enough, somebody else will come and employ them and take them outside this country.”He added.