A civil society organisation, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerians on Health Reform, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Nigeria’s health sector, warning that the country’s healthcare system is facing an unprecedented crisis requiring urgent intervention.
The coalition said the nation’s health system is under severe strain due to an acute shortage of medical personnel, poor funding, deteriorating infrastructure, unresolved labour disputes and the continued migration of healthcare professionals.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday under the theme, ‘Enough Is Enough: Declare a State of Emergency in Nigeria’s Health Sector Now’, the coalition’s Coordinator, Muniretu Isa, argued that routine policy measures were no longer sufficient to address the challenges.
‘The crisis confronting our healthcare system has reached a level where ordinary policy measures are no longer sufficient. Millions of Nigerians are paying the price through delayed treatment, avoidable deaths and declining access to quality healthcare,’ he said.
The coalition cited figures presented at the Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), noting that Nigeria has only about 55,000 licensed doctors serving a population of over 220 million.
It said the shortage has left healthcare workers overstretched, while many continue to emigrate in search of better opportunities abroad.
According to the group, the consequence is long waiting times for patients, delayed emergency care, limited access to specialist services and poorly staffed primary healthcare centres, especially in rural communities.
The coalition also identified persistent industrial disputes arising from poor remuneration, unpaid allowances, salary delays, inadequate recruitment, poor working conditions, underfunded residency training and the failure to implement agreements reached with health workers.
It further lamented the deteriorating state of public hospitals, citing obsolete equipment, unreliable electricity, inadequate diagnostic facilities, shortage of hospital beds and ageing infrastructure.
On healthcare financing, the group said Nigeria continues to spend far below the commitment envisioned under the Abuja Declaration, leaving millions of citizens to finance healthcare through out-of-pocket payments.
It also expressed concern over the rising cost of medicines and the growing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and kidney disease.
The coalition urged the President to launch a coordinated national recovery programme focused on the emergency recruitment and retention of health workers, improved remuneration, implementation of agreements with health unions, increased investment in hospitals and primary healthcare centres, modernisation of medical equipment, expansion of residency training, strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, increased health financing, wider health insurance coverage and measures to reverse the brain drain.
‘Healthcare is not a privilege; it is a constitutional and moral obligation of government. A nation cannot build a productive economy, attract investment or secure its future while its hospitals struggle to provide basic services,’ Isa said.
The group warned that the shrinking health workforce, overstretched hospitals and declining public confidence in the system require immediate presidential action.
‘Time for decisive action is now. The warning signs are unmistakable. The healthcare workforce is shrinking. Public hospitals are overstretched. Patients are bearing the burden. Confidence in the system continues to decline. The time for incremental reforms has passed.
‘The time for decisive action is now. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must declare a State of Emergency in Nigeria’s Health Sector before this crisis deepens beyond repair,’ Isa warned.
While expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership of the health sector, the coalition also passed a vote of no confidence on the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, saying it had lost confidence in his ability to address the challenges confronting the sector.