Following a diphtheria outbreak at King’s College, Lagos, which resulted in the death of a 12-year-old student and the hospitalization of several others, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to initiate an urgent nationwide vaccination campaign in schools.
As of September 28, 2023, the disease has claimed 471 lives, with over 7,400 confirmed cases and 12,000 suspected cases. Additionally, multiple cases of meningitis have been reported in Sokoto and Kebbi, leading to further fatalities.
These health crises have reignited concerns about the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the urgent need to address the challenges that contribute to critical gaps in medical response and disease prevention.
Findings of a report from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlight significant disparities in healthcare access between regions, raising concerns about the country’s healthcare system.
For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed major vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s healthcare system, many of which persist today. In the aftermath of the crisis, there has been an increased exodus of medical professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. This brain drain has further strained the doctor-to-patient ratio, leaving many hospitals understaffed and overburdened.
Additionally, the pandemic disrupted supply chains, worsening the already fragile distribution of essential drugs. Many primary healthcare centres, especially in rural areas, continue to struggle with stockouts of critical medications. The slow recovery from COVID-19’s economic impact has also meant limited government funding for healthcare improvements, delaying necessary reforms.
The reports underscore significant healthcare disparities across Nigeria, particularly in the northern and rural regions. The uneven distribution of medical professionals and limited access to essential drugs pose critical challenges to healthcare delivery.
Medical doctor distribution
With a total of 44,052 medical doctors across Nigeria, the South-west geopolitical zone leads with 13,624 doctors, followed by the North-central (8,754) and South-south (7,868). The South-east has 6,426 doctors, while the North-west and North-east have the lowest numbers at 4,960 and 2,420, respectively.
At the state level, Lagos has the highest number of medical doctors at 7,385, followed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 4,453 and Rivers State with 2,194. Other states with a notable number of doctors include Enugu (2,070), Oyo (1,996), and Edo (1,777). Conversely, states like Taraba (201), Jigawa (255), and Zamfara (267) are among the most underserved in terms of medical personnel.
The significant disparity in medical doctor distribution highlights the ongoing challenge of retaining healthcare professionals in less urbanized areas, further exacerbating the shortage of medical personnel in northern and rural states.
Availability of essential drugs
A separate report from the National Health Facility Survey (NHFS) presents an alarming picture regarding access to essential drugs across Nigeria’s primary health facilities. The South-east has the highest percentage of facilities stocked with essential drugs (44.9%), followed by the North-central (38.8%) and South-south (37.2%). The South-west stands at 33.8%, while the North-west (30.1%) and North-east (25.4%) have the lowest availability.
At the state level, Imo (53%) leads in the availability of essential drugs in primary healthcare facilities, closely followed by Delta (52.7%), FCT (52.2%), and Ogun (51.5%). Meanwhile, states like Kebbi (15.8%), Osun (19%), and Taraba (21.4%) report the lowest availability, raising concerns about the ability of healthcare facilities in these areas to meet basic medical needs.
By: James Odunayo
