The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Saheed Babajide, has raised alarm over the worsening state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, citing mass emigration of medical professionals as a key factor pushing the sector to the brink of collapse.
In an exclusive interview with Good Health Weekly, Babajide stated that Nigeria has become the world’s leading exporter of doctors due to the ongoing “Japa” syndrome, where healthcare workers leave in search of better opportunities abroad.
He criticized the government’s approach to addressing the crisis, noting that increasing the number of medical and nursing schools will not resolve the issue if working conditions and remuneration remain poor. He argued that rather than expanding medical training institutions, the government should focus on retaining existing professionals through improved welfare packages, competitive salaries, and better working environments.
“The healthcare system is in a state of helplessness. Doctors and nurses are leaving daily because they are undervalued, underpaid, and overworked,” Babajide lamented. “Even as we produce more doctors, they are leaving in droves. What happens to those who remain to care for our growing population?”
He further warned that Nigeria’s health sector faces a medical disaster if urgent steps are not taken to address critical challenges, including poor infrastructure, inadequate power supply in hospitals, and the rising cost of treatment.
Babajide highlighted the struggles of doctors who remain in the system, stating that they are overworked, suffer from burnout, and face increasing mental health issues. He also pointed out that many doctors are forced to work under extreme stress, leading to rising cases of cardiac arrest, divorce, and even suicide among medical practitioners.
He proposed several solutions to curb the exodus, including offering doctors mortgage plans, car loans, and removing excessive taxes on their allowances. He urged the government to shift focus from infrastructure expansion to improving welfare and remuneration to retain healthcare professionals.
“The government thinks solving ‘Japa’ is about building more medical schools, but all they are doing is increasing the supply of doctors to other countries. If we don’t fix the welfare issues, the problem will persist,” he warned.
The Lagos NMA chairman also criticized the erratic power supply in major hospitals, stating that a lack of stable electricity is crippling neonatal units and leaving incubators non-functional. He called for immediate intervention through the national grid, public-private partnerships, or solar energy solutions to ensure continuous power supply in hospitals.
With Nigeria’s healthcare system at a crossroads, Babajide stressed that unless drastic measures are taken, the sector will continue to deteriorate, leaving millions of Nigerians without access to quality medical care.
