Nigeria's resident doctors have gathered to confront a growing crisis in the country's healthcare system. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors convened its ordinary general meeting in Kano State, bringing together members to discuss the pressures weighing on the profession. The meeting placed the wellbeing of doctors themselves at the center of the conversation.
The choice of theme reflected that focus on the doctors as much as the patients. The meeting was held under the theme caring for the caregivers, mental health and emotional resilience in residency training. By framing the gathering this way, the association signaled that the strain on those providing care has become a pressing concern in its own right.
Hanging over the discussions was the persistent problem of doctors leaving the country. Nigeria's healthcare sector continues to grapple with the challenge of brain drain, as thousands of medical professionals seek opportunities abroad in search of better working conditions and improved welfare. That outflow has steadily thinned the ranks of those who remain.
The figures shared at the meeting underscored just how stretched the system has become. With a population of about 240 million people, the country is being served by only 12,000 resident doctors. That imbalance means a relatively small number of doctors is responsible for the health needs of an enormous population.
The decline is just as stark among more senior physicians. The number of consultants stands at roughly 6,000 to 7,000 today, down from about 14,000 to 15,000 a decade to 15 years ago. The drop points to a steady loss of experienced doctors, with the speakers stressing that the country is clearly losing doctors and that the numbers are staggering.
The association's leadership tied the exodus directly to how doctors are treated. The president of the association expressed concern over what he described as worsening welfare conditions for doctors, warning that persistent neglect could further weaken the nation's healthcare system. The message was that poor welfare is helping to drive the brain drain rather than slow it.
At the opening of the meeting, the authorities sought to offer some reassurance. Representing the governor of Kano State, the Commissioner for Health assured participants of the state's commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of healthcare professionals. The pledge spoke to the demand running through the gathering, that caring for the caregivers is treated as a necessity rather than a luxury.