Oyo NMA Decries Shortage of Doctors, Seeks Urgent Government Intervention
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, has raised serious concerns over the acute shortage of medical doctors in government-owned hospitals across the state, describing the situation as alarming, unsustainable, and detrimental to quality healthcare delivery.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday, the Oyo State NMA Chairperson, Dr. Happy Adedapo, lamented that the increasing workload on the few available doctors has led to burnout, declining morale, and a growing number of resignations and emigrations among healthcare professionals.
According to Dr. Adedapo, many doctors are leaving public hospitals due to poor welfare conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and the lure of better opportunities abroad, a trend that has worsened the already fragile healthcare system in the state.
“The situation is appalling and dangerous for effective healthcare delivery. In some hospitals, a single doctor is left to attend to hundreds of patients daily, covering emergency, outpatient, and ward duties. This is not sustainable,” she said.
The NMA chairperson called on the Oyo State Government to immediately recruit more medical personnel, improve the working environment, and implement retention policies that will encourage doctors to remain in public service.
She also urged the government to review hazard allowances, ensure prompt payment of salaries, and provide better facilities in hospitals to enable doctors deliver quality healthcare to citizens.
Dr. Adedapo emphasized that the shortage of doctors is not peculiar to Oyo State but reflects a nationwide crisis threatening the Nigerian health sector. She, however, noted that proactive measures at the state level could mitigate the impact.
“We must act fast to prevent total collapse. The state government needs to prioritize health sector funding. A functional healthcare system is the backbone of any developing society,” she added.
Health experts have warned that if the current trend continues, patients in rural areas and secondary health facilities will suffer the most, as limited manpower makes it difficult to provide round-the-clock medical care.
The NMA reiterated its commitment to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the human resource crisis in the health sector.
