Conference of the West African College of Physicians, WACP, has urged government at all levels to strengthen the health system or risk worsening the ongoing migration of skilled medical professionals, declining service delivery, and deepening pressures on already overstretched hospitals.

The position was made at a press conference held at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University of Ibadan on Monday, to formally announce activities marking the 50th Annual General and Scientific Conference of the West African College of Physicians, WACP, Nigeria Chapter.

WACP also highlighted systemic gaps in governance, funding, workforce retention, and healthcare delivery, while emphasising the need for reforms anchored on collaboration, innovation, and patient-centred care.

Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of the Nigeria Chapter of WACP and Vice President of the College, Prof. Benjamin Uzochukwu, said Nigeria’s health system challenges cannot be solved by restrictive policies but by making local practice more attractive, functional, and sustainable.

Prof. Uzochukwu noted that while artificial intelligence is increasingly useful in modern medicine, especially in diagnosis, it cannot replace the empathy and judgment required in patient care.

He said: “For us and for me in particular, we should not rely solely on artificial intelligence. We must combine it with human intelligence.

“In our clinical practice, we have found that artificial intelligence is very helpful, particularly in diagnosis. However, when it comes to management, the human element is missing.

“Artificial intelligence will not say, ‘I’m sorry.’ However, a clinician’s empathy can help address the social aspects of a patient’s problem by saying, ‘I’m sorry. How are you doing?’ and so on.”

He, however, expressed concern over the continued migration of health workers abroad, warning that brain drain is weakening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Brain drain continues to strip our hospitals of experienced specialists,” he said, adding that inflation has further reduced the real value of healthcare workers’ earnings.

On past efforts to curb brain drain, he criticised restrictive measures that limited doctors’ access to international training opportunities, arguing that such policies were counterproductive.

“At one point, the Federal Government introduced a policy that indirectly prevented some doctors from travelling abroad to undertake specialist training. However, we do not believe that this is the appropriate approach.

“To curb brain drain, we must ensure that what we have within the country is sufficient, of high quality, and offers appropriate remuneration to sustain the health system.

“If we strengthen our health system, then anyone who visits a health facility will receive appropriate treatment and quality healthcare services.”

On how Nigeria’s health sector can be revitalised, he said: “We must allocate at least the agreed 15% of the national budget to health. At present, spending is below 6 percent.”

The Lagos State Government has urged residents of Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe to remain alert and adopt preventive measures against Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, as part of efforts to safeguard public health.

A statement issued by the Lagos state government quoted the Permanent Secretary of Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, as saying residents should remain vigilant and adopt preventive measures against Ebola Virus Disease.

According to Adeleke, Ebola Virus Disease is caused by Ebola viruses and can result in severe illness and death if not detected and managed promptly.

She explained that Health District III has intensified community sensitisation programmes aimed at reducing the risk of infection and protecting residents across the affected areas.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the disease spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood, saliva, vomit and other bodily fluids of infected persons or animals.

To prevent transmission, she advised residents to avoid contact with sick persons, dead bodies and wild animals such as bats and monkeys. She also urged members of the public to maintain proper personal hygiene, make regular use of hand sanitisers and avoid eating undercooked meat.

Adeleke stressed the importance of public awareness and adherence to safety measures, noting that prevention remains the most effective way to curb the spread of the disease.

“Although there is no confirmed Ebola outbreak in Nigeria at this time, vigilance, prompt reporting, adherence to infection prevention measures, and community awareness remain essential to protecting lives and preventing the spread of the disease. As such, Health District III is working with relevant agencies to strengthen surveillance, public awareness, and emergency preparedness across Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe,” she said.

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.”