Lagos Doctors' Association Condemns Federal Government for Failing Healthcare System on Democracy Day

The Nigerian Medical Association's Lagos State chapter has condemned the Federal Government's handling of the healthcare system, citing poor funding, a worsening brain drain, and inadequate disease control measures as major concerns, according to the association's Chairman, Dr Saheed Babajide, in a Democracy Day press statement.

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Dr Babajide noted that the health sector has failed to improve from its previous poor performance, and warned that Nigeria's healthcare system is sliding deeper into crisis, with the Federal Government's inaction on key issues being a major contributor to the problem.

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The Federal Government has been accused of failing to address the mass migration of doctors and other healthcare workers abroad, known as the "Japa syndrome", with Dr Babajide stating that there is no evidence of a willingness to resolve the issue.

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Dr Babajide criticised the Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, for prioritising international partnerships and research engagements over fundamental healthcare delivery issues, such as medical services, training, and human resources.

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The NMA chairman argued that the exodus of health professionals can only be stemmed by improving remuneration, welfare packages, equipment, working conditions, and research support, as well as providing opportunities for overseas training.

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On healthcare financing, Dr Babajide described the Federal Government's budgetary allocation to health as "grossly inadequate", and lamented the failure to meet the 15 per cent benchmark set out in the Abuja Declaration.

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He also alleged that the limited funds allocated to health institutions are not being properly utilised for effective healthcare delivery, and that the government prioritises infrastructure projects over health and education.

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Dr Babajide further criticised the "uncoordinated infrastructural development" across federal health institutions, stating that many projects are either abandoned or lack the necessary manpower and equipment.

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The association warned that the continued establishment of new medical and health institutions without adequate manpower and welfare support will exacerbate the brain drain crisis and deepen unemployment among fresh graduates seeking internship and housemanship placements.

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This situation, Dr Babajide noted, has recreated the challenges of the late 1990s and early 2000s, when newly graduated medical doctors had to wait over a year to secure housemanship placements.

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The NMA also expressed concern over Nigeria's preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks, warning that the country still lacks a strong and efficient disease control structure, with Dr Babajide advocating for a dedicated infectious disease hospital in each state linked to a central national control centre in Abuja.

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The doctors decried the absence of specialised hospitals across Nigeria's six geo-political zones, saying that the lack of advanced medical centres continues to fuel medical tourism, and urged the Federal Government to establish specialist centres for various medical disciplines.

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Dr Babajide concluded that the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Health have performed poorly on healthcare delivery due to a lack of willingness and priority on health sector development in Nigeria.