Health & Wellness
Brain Drain:Doctors Raise Fresh Alarm Over Manpower Shortage
Medical doctors have raised alarm that the country’s healthcare system is facing a dangerous manpower crisis, with only about 55,000 doctors left to serve a population of more than 220 million people.
They raised the alarm at the Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, FNPH, Yaba, Lagos, with the theme, “Too Few Doctors, Too Many Patients: The Consequences of Manpower Shortage on the Mental Well-being of Nigerians.”
The doctors, among whom are mental experts, also said the present situation is worsening access to psychiatric care and leaving millions of vulnerable Nigerians untreated.
The doctors also said no fewer than 16,000 Nigerian doctors have emigrated in the last five years, worsening an already dire manpower shortage in the country’s health sector.
They warned that the sustained exodus of healthcare workers under the “Japa” syndrome had severely depleted the country’s mental health workforce, widened treatment gaps, increased the cost of care and placed enormous pressure on the few specialists remaining in the system.
Report quoted the President of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Prof Omoti Ernest, as declaring that recent data showed that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, had registered over 130,000 doctors but noted only about 55,000 are actively practicing within Nigeria.
He said with a population exceeding 220 million, this translated to roughly one doctor for every 3,600 to 4,000 people.
“This ratio is far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended threshold of one doctor to about 600 people, highlighting the significant shortage of medical personnel and the strain on healthcare delivery.
“Many Nigerian-trained doctors have emigrated or are no longer engaged in active clinical practice, contributing to the country’s healthcare workforce shortage,” the NMA President said.
He said the emigration of skilled professionals in search of better opportunities abroad has had a significant impact on Nigeria’s hospitals and healthcare workforce.
He said further: “Thousands of doctors and other healthcare professionals have left the country in recent years, leading to severe staff shortages, increased workload for those who remain with many suffering from burnout, longer waiting times for patients, and declining quality of care in many public hospitals.
“Rural and under-served communities have been particularly affected, as they already struggle with limited access to healthcare services.
‘’The reasons behind this migration include poor remuneration, inadequate working conditions, insecurity, limited opportunities for career advancement, and insufficient investment in healthcare infrastructure, among others.
“Many professionals are attracted by better pay, improved facilities, and more stable environments in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.”
To address the trend, he said the Federal Government should prioritise salaries and welfare packages for healthcare workers, invest more in modern medical equipment and hospital infrastructure, expand residency and specialist training opportunities, and create clear career progression pathways.
Omoti said: “Strengthening security, ensuring timely payment of wages, and providing incentives for professionals to work in under-served areas will also help retain talent.
‘’In addition, partnerships with the private sector and diaspora engagement programmes could encourage Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to contribute their expertise and support development of the country’s healthcare system.”
Health & Wellness
Aro Psychiatric Hospital Shuts School Indefinitely Over Student’s Death
The Management of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, has announced indefinite suspension of all academic activities at its School of Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing following the death of a nursing student.
The suspension was contained in a notification on Tuesday, signed by Coordinator of Programme/Head of School, Dr Taiwo Omirin, on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director.
According to the letter contained in a report, all students of 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sets, including Masters’ Student Nurses and those undergoing orientation, are affected and resident students were directed to vacate hostel with immediate effect.
The management said the decision became necessary following death of Student Nurse Godwin Ayodeji Taiwo, which reportedly triggered unrest within hospital community.
“This decision follows the unfortunate demise of Student Nurse Godwin Ayodeji Taiwo, which has reportedly resulted in student unrest within the hospital community,” the letter stated.
The hospital said suspension was to provide peaceful and conducive environment for thorough investigation into circumstances surrounding his death.
It urged affected students and stakeholders to remain calm and comply strictly with directive pending further communication, while regretting any inconvenience caused.
Taiwo, a Post Basic nursing student who was said to be asthmatic, died at the institution under controversial circumstances, sparking protest among fellow students who alleged negligence in handling his emergency.
His death had generated outrage and calls for investigation into healthcare response system at the school.
An eyewitness also alleged that Taiwo’s death was the second this year, raising concerns among colleagues and students.
Health & Wellness
NAFDAC Begin Probe Of Enugu Youth Corper’s Death
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched an investigation into whether medicines administered to a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member may have contributed to his death at the orientation camp in Agwu, Enugu State.
The probe follows reports suggesting a possible link between the death and the use of substandard or falsified medicines. However, the agency said preliminary clinical findings had not established whether the medicines played any role in the incident.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC urged the public to avoid speculation about the cause of death pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to the agency, preliminary information indicated that the corps member was taken to the camp clinic on Wednesday, October 7, with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria and a history of peptic ulcer disease.
He was treated and stabilised before being discharged the following morning with oral medications.
However, he returned to the clinic on Saturday, October 10, complaining of right thigh pain and profuse sweating, alongside recurrent episodes of low blood pressure.
NAFDAC said his condition subsequently deteriorated, with reduced urine output despite fluid resuscitation. He was then referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, where he became comatose.
Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. A preliminary clinical assessment identified acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock as the suspected cause of death.
The agency stressed, however, that the findings did not establish whether the medicines administered to the corps member contributed to his death, adding that further investigation was necessary to determine any possible connection.
As part of the probe, NAFDAC said its officers had visited the camp clinic, interviewed the medical personnel who attended to the deceased and other staff, and collected samples of the medicines for laboratory analysis.
The agency said appropriate regulatory action would be taken if warranted by the findings.
While expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, NAFDAC urged the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to run its course.
It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy.
Health & Wellness
FG Confirms Ebola Case In Abuja, Tracks 44 Contacts
The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), thus raising fresh public health concerns as authorities begin tracing 44 people who may have been exposed to the infection.
The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before laboratory tests confirmed the disease on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The Federal Government said the woman had been placed in isolation and was receiving medical care, while public health authorities intensified surveillance and contact tracing to prevent further transmission.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, however, assured Nigerians that the government was working with the FCT authorities and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to contain the infection.
The minister said the 44 identified close contacts included people whose exposure may have occurred through healthcare interactions, as well as healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
He told journalists that public health teams had commenced efforts to identify and monitor individuals who may have come into contact with the patient.
“Similarly, the hospital where the woman received treatment is also receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures,” he said.
The government called on public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain on high alert, urging health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, and immediately report them to public health authorities.
It also stressed the need for strict adherence to infection prevention and control procedures in healthcare facilities.
Explaining how the disease spreads, the minister said Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, or through contact with contaminated materials.
He added that an infected person cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin. “Nigerians are advised to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola,” he said.
The minister also urged citizens to watch out for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure. “Those who suspect they may have been exposed are advised to report immediately to public health authorities, even if they were not experiencing symptoms.”
“Also, anyone who develops symptoms should avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility,” he added.
The minister further urged people contacted during the tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to cooperate with health officials, provide necessary information and comply with public health advice.
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