Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, says Nigeria is facing a severe shortage of health professionals, part of a global crisis that is fuelling migration and putting pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja to address the ongoing strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Salako said the Federal Government is implementing both immediate and long-term measures to stabilise the sector and retain skilled personnel.
‘The World Health Organization recommends a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1 to 1,000. In Nigeria, it is about 1 to 3,500. This gap contributes to migration because, like any commodity, when there is scarcity, there will be movement. It’s a global issue everyone is trying to solve.’
He explained that the government’s response includes scaling up training and recruitment to produce more doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.
‘We are creating more opportunities to train and employ health workers,’ he noted. ‘Some countries have turned their health workforce into an economic asset, and Nigeria is moving in that direction so that even when some leave, others remain to strengthen the system.’
Salako also addressed concerns about the temporary employment of doctors and other staff in federal health institutions, clarifying that such arrangements were necessary to fill vacancies pending regular recruitment exercises.
‘Because we know doctors are leaving, hospital executives are empowered to employ staff on a local basis. Permanent employment takes time – applications, screenings, IPPIS capture – so we allow hospitals to engage temporary staff until the next round of regular recruitment.’
He added that the Ministry is developing a universal protocol to guide hospital managements on fair and transparent temporary engagement.
‘We are finalising a protocol that defines how hospitals should engage staff locally – how long they can work, and how they can transition into permanent positions,’ the minister said.
Addressing the financial side of NARD’s grievances, Dr Salako said government payments had significantly reduced outstanding arrears.
‘Out of ?41 billion owed, ?21 billion has been paid and another ?12 billion is being processed,’ he said. ‘This covers virtually all arrears across health workers.’
He further revealed that the ministry had established a task force to conduct unscheduled visits to hospitals to ensure continuity of care.
‘We have set up a task force that will monitor hospitals and ensure that those not on strike are at their duty posts,’ he announced.
Salako reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fairness and teamwork in the health sector.
‘Everyone is important – doctors, nurses, lab scientists,’ he stressed. ‘We recognise their peculiarities, but we must all work together as a team to build a stronger health system.’