By Mariam Abeeb
A civil society organisation, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerians on Health Reform, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Nigeria’s health sector, citing concerns over workforce shortages, inadequate funding, ageing infrastructure and the continued migration of healthcare professionals.
The coalition made the call in a statement titled “Enough Is Enough: Declare a State of Emergency in Nigeria’s Health Sector Now,” which was read by its coordinator, Muniretu Isa.
The group also announced that it had passed a vote of no confidence in the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, expressing its view that stronger leadership and more urgent action are needed to address challenges facing the sector.
According to the coalition, Nigeria’s healthcare system is under increasing pressure due to a shortage of medical personnel. It referenced figures presented during a meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors, which indicated that about 55,000 licensed doctors are serving a population estimated at more than 220 million people.
The organisation said the shortage has placed significant pressure on healthcare workers, resulting in long waiting times for patients, overstretched medical personnel and reduced access to specialist care in many parts of the country.
It further expressed concern over the continued emigration of doctors and other healthcare professionals, saying the trend has left many hospitals understaffed, particularly in rural communities where primary healthcare centres often face shortages of personnel, medicines and essential equipment.
The coalition also pointed to recurring labour disputes involving health workers, inadequate healthcare funding, ageing hospital infrastructure and limited access to modern medical equipment as factors affecting service delivery.
It urged the Federal Government to implement a comprehensive recovery programme for the health sector, including the emergency recruitment and retention of healthcare workers, improved remuneration and welfare packages, implementation of agreements reached with health sector unions, increased investment in public hospitals and primary healthcare centres, modernisation of medical equipment, expansion of residency training, support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing, increased healthcare funding with measurable accountability, wider health insurance coverage and policies aimed at encouraging Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to return home.
The coalition argued that strengthening the healthcare system is essential for improving public health outcomes, promoting economic development and ensuring access to quality healthcare services for Nigerians.
No official response from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare or the Coordinating Minister was available at the time of filing this report.
