By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Nigeria’s healthcare system is close to collapsing due to a serious shortage of healthcare workers which was worsened by migration and insecurity.
With a ratio of only 1.8 health workers per patient, far below the WHO’s recommended 4.45, the sector faces crisis.
The situation is expanded by the uneven distribution of health workers, with most opting for urban areas over rural regions.
To address this, the Federal Government has introduced the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration. This aims to boost the pipeline of new health professionals, enhance training capacity, and leverage international collaboration to attract critical skills from Nigerians abroad.
Dr. Faithful Miebaka Daniel warns that increasing security challenges may push health workers to leave. He emphasized the need to stop these threats, recognize health workers’ sacrifices, and implement the policy to increase the workforce, improve compensation, and upgrade facilities.
Recent kidnappings and hostage situations show the dangers faced by health workers. It also shows the need for improved health insurance coverage and equal distribution of healthcare services.
