The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has revealed that the country currently has only 6,000 medical consultants, raising concerns about the state of healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association on Friday in Ilorin, Kwara State, MDCAN President, Prof. Muhammad Mohammad, disclosed that about 1,300 consultants have left Nigeria in the past five years, with the exodus driven by the “Japa” syndrome and poor working conditions.
Prof. Mohammad explained that the number of consultants is expected to decline further due to the retirement age of 60 years.
“Approximately 1,700 consultants are above 55 years of age, which means that in the next five years, they will leave the system for retirement. Meanwhile, Nigeria produces only one or two consultants per annum, making it impossible to replace those leaving,” he said.
To address the issue, Mohammad urged the government to ensure medical lecturers are placed on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to harmonize their emoluments and reduce the brain drain.
Themed “Policy Making for Quality Healthcare Services: Engaging Policy Makers for Quality Healthcare Delivery,” the NEC meeting drew attention to the critical role of policies in improving healthcare delivery.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, emphasized that effective policy-making is vital for delivering quality healthcare services, while guest speaker, Dr. Amos Magaji, a lawmaker from Kaduna State, underscored the need for robust policies to support healthcare delivery.
Public health consultant, Prof. Tanimola Akande, highlighted the importance of doctors prioritizing self-care, advocating for regular check-ups, exercise, and maintaining their overall well-being.
The local organizing committee chairman, Prof. Kazeem Ibrahim, criticized the ineffectiveness of past healthcare policies and emphasized the need for actionable solutions to address the challenges, including the ‘Japa’ syndrome.
The meeting is expected to chart a path forward for addressing Nigeria’s healthcare workforce crisis and improving conditions for medical professionals in the country.
