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 what it described as deepening challenges confronting healthcare delivery across the country.
The coalition also announced that it had passed a vote of no confidence on the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, saying it no longer had confidence in his leadership of the sector.
The position was contained in a statement read by the group’s Coordinator, Muniretu Isa, titled, “Enough Is Enough: Declare a State of Emergency in Nigeria’s Health Sector Now.”
According to the coalition, the crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare system has reached a point where routine policy interventions are no longer sufficient to address the challenges facing the sector.
The group pointed to what it described as a severe shortage of medical personnel, noting that Nigeria, with a population of over 220 million, has about 55,000 licensed doctors available to serve its citizens. It said the figure was cited during the Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors.
Isa said the shortage had left healthcare workers overstretched, with doctors and other professionals attending to overwhelming numbers of patients under difficult conditions.
She added that many healthcare professionals continued to leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad, leaving hospitals increasingly understaffed.
Describing the situation as requiring urgent presidential attention, the coalition urged Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the health sector and commence a coordinated national recovery programme.
It recommended emergency recruitment and retention of healthcare workers, competitive remuneration and improved welfare packages, full implementation of agreements with health sector unions, massive investment in public hospitals and primary healthcare centres, and modernisation of medical equipment and diagnostic facilities.
Other proposals include the expansion of residency training and specialist medical education, strengthening local pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing, increased healthcare funding backed by accountability and measurable targets, wider health insurance coverage to reduce out-of-pocket spending, and measures aimed at reversing the migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals.
The statement read in part, “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.”
The coalition further noted that the shortage of medical personnel had resulted in long waiting hours for patients, delayed emergency care and reduced access to specialist services.
It added that conditions were even more challenging in rural communities, where many primary healthcare centres operate without adequate personnel, medicines or essential equipment.
On labour relations, the group said unresolved issues between the government and health workers had continued to trigger threats of industrial action.
According to Isa, each strike or threatened strike places additional pressure on an already fragile health system, leaving millions of Nigerians uncertain about access to life-saving treatment.
The coalition also expressed concern over the state of public hospitals, saying many facilities contend with obsolete equipment, unreliable electricity supply, inadequate laboratory services, insufficient hospital beds and ageing infrastructure.
It added that while many tertiary hospitals lack modern diagnostic tools, numerous primary healthcare centres remain poorly equipped or non-functional.
The group also raised concerns over healthcare financing, noting that Nigeria’s spending on the sector remains below the level envisaged under the Abuja Declaration.
It said the funding gap has compelled many Nigerians to pay directly for medical services, placing heavy financial pressure on households whenever illness occurs.
The coalition further warned that the continued migration of healthcare professionals poses a significant challenge to the country’s health system, stressing that the departure of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists reduces Nigeria’s capacity to deliver quality healthcare.
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