The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has raised serious concern over the growing shortage of medical doctors nationwide, warning that thousands continue to emigrate in search of better opportunities abroad.
NMA President, Bala Audu, sounded the alarm while presenting a communiqué at the close of the association’s 2025 Annual Delegates Conference and General Meeting in Katsina State. The conference, themed ‘The Universal Applicability of Care Standards for Patients and the Well-being of Health Care Providers,’ focused on the mounting challenges in Nigeria’s health sector.
Mr. Audu revealed that around 15,000 doctors have left Nigeria in the past five years alone, severely straining the country’s healthcare system. He noted that while the World Health Organization recommends a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:600, Nigeria’s current ratio is a staggering 1:8,000, based on an estimated population of 240 million and only 30,000 practicing doctors.
He stressed that Nigerian doctors, renowned for their training and expertise, are heavily sought after by recruiters from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia.
“There are challenges pushing doctors out of the country, especially poor working conditions and inadequate remuneration,” Audu stated. He highlighted the need for urgent government intervention, including payment of seven months of outstanding arrears and the full implementation of consequential salary adjustments for doctors in federal tertiary health institutions.
The NMA is also advocating for the universal adoption of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) across all health sectors to help curb the exodus.
Additionally, Mr. Audu rejected the proposed National Prescription Policy, insisting that only doctors are qualified to prescribe medications to patients.
As part of its corporate social responsibility, the NMA conducted a medical outreach during the conference, providing treatment to 500 patients, performing eye surgeries on 100 individuals, and distributing nutritional supplements to orphanage homes in Katsina
