Nigeria’s healthcare system is teetering on the brink of collapse, plagued by a mass exodus of medical professionals, crumbling infrastructure, and skyrocketing treatment costs. The Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Saheed Babajide, sounded the alarm in an exclusive interview with Good Health Weekly, warning that urgent intervention is needed to avert a national medical disaster.
Babajide described the current state of healthcare as “helpless,” citing the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign exchange fluctuations, and the relentless wave of the “Japa syndrome”—the mass migration of healthcare workers abroad. “We’re producing doctors for other countries while our hospitals are understaffed,” he lamented.
Erratic power supply has become a silent killer in many hospitals. Babajide illustrated the grim reality: “Neonatal incubators are turning into empty boxes. How can we save newborns when life-saving equipment is left in darkness?” He urged the government to prioritize power solutions like solar energy and public-private partnerships instead of building more hospitals without ensuring functionality.
Rising drug prices and treatment costs have pushed quality healthcare beyond the reach of many Nigerians, forcing many to seek alternatives. Babajide criticized the nation’s poor health insurance coverage, noting that only about 5% of Nigerians are enrolled. “Without affordable health insurance, more lives will be lost to preventable diseases,” he warned.
The dwindling number of healthcare professionals has left those who remain overwhelmed, with many battling mental health challenges and burnout. Babajide highlighted a troubling increase in divorces, depression, and even suicides among doctors. “Doctors are dying from cardiac arrests due to extreme stress. They’re overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated,” he said.
To stem the tide of the Japa syndrome, Babajide recommended better welfare packages, housing and car loan programs, and tax reliefs for doctors. He urged the government to prioritize retaining skilled professionals rather than churning out new graduates who quickly leave the country.
Addressing President Bola Tinubu directly, Babajide called for increased healthcare funding, stricter anti-corruption measures, and a renewed focus on local drug production. “The health of our people is the wealth of our nation. If we lose this battle, the nation’s productivity and GDP will continue to decline,” he concluded.
Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, and the survival of its healthcare system depends on swift, decisive action.
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