Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has raised concerns over the growing shortage of medical doctors in Nigeria, warning that declining medical school enrolment and the increasing migration of doctors abroad could worsen the country’s healthcare crisis.
Nwifuru made the remarks on Thursday when the National Executive Council of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Abakaliki. The delegation was led by the association’s President, Professor Apollos Ndukuba.
The Ebonyi governor attributed the declining number of new medical professionals partly to what he described as a lack of patience and resilience among many young Nigerians to endure the demanding academic and practical training required to become doctors.
According to him, the situation has contributed to fewer students seeking admission to study medicine in Nigerian universities.
He also identified poor incentives and working conditions for doctors as another major factor driving the “Japa” syndrome, with many Nigerian medical professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities.
Nwifuru called on governments at all levels to improve incentives for medical practitioners and create better conditions that would attract more young people to the medical profession while reducing the migration of doctors.
He stressed that investing in doctors was necessary because of their critical role in protecting the health and wellbeing of citizens.
The governor said his administration had continued to prioritise healthcare by improving doctors’ remuneration and investing heavily in healthcare infrastructure across the state.
He explained that his administration believes primary and secondary healthcare facilities must be strengthened so that teaching hospitals can effectively function as referral centres.
“In Ebonyi, we believe that though the office of the governor is so compelling, the health of the people should be of top priority,” Nwifuru said.
He disclosed that the state government had reconstructed about 26 primary and secondary healthcare facilities, with a target of having at least two upgraded facilities in each local government area.
The renovated facilities, he said, were equipped with modern medical equipment to improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
Nwifuru also revealed that staff quarters had been renovated and new accommodation constructed to enable medical personnel to live closer to their places of service
According to him, the state’s new diagnostic centre has reached an advanced stage, with two MRI machines already delivered, while additional state-of-the-art medical equipment is expected.
The governor further disclosed that his administration is constructing another specialist hospital for the state’s ICT University.
Speaking to the medical consultants, Nwifuru urged doctors to uphold professional ethics and focus on leaving a lasting legacy in the healthcare institutions where they serve.
He maintained that medical practitioners should not allow financial considerations and academic achievements to overshadow their responsibility to patients and society.
“Doctors should be more interested in leaving a lasting legacy in their hospitals of service beyond money and acquired certificates,” he said.
The governor also appealed to the consultants to support the state’s primary and secondary healthcare facilities in achieving improved standards of healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, MDCAN President, Professor Apollos Ndukuba, commended the Ebonyi State Government for its efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
Ndukuba specifically praised the government for recruiting additional doctors, adopting the current CONHESS remuneration structure, initiating a state health insurance scheme and equipping general hospitals across the state.
He said Ebonyi State now has a strong number of medical doctors, attributing the development to the government’s investment in the health sector.
According to him, Ebonyi has also emerged as a hub for disease surveillance, disease control and treatment, contributing to efforts to reduce medical tourism.
Ndukuba disclosed that MDCAN has more than 6,000 members across over 60 chapters, with three chapters located in Ebonyi State.
He added that the association organised a free medical outreach during its visit to the state, reaching more than 400 patients.
The MDCAN delegation was in Ebonyi State for its quarterly National Executive Council meeting, hosted by the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA) chapter.
The meeting was held under the theme: “Mitigating the Health Impact of Multidimensional Poverty: The Dilemma of Healthcare Providers in a Strained Economy and the Demand of Work.”
Ndukuba pledged the association’s willingness to partner with the Ebonyi State Government to further improve healthcare services and expand access to quality medical care for residents.
The development comes amid wider concerns over Nigeria’s doctor shortage, medical brain drain, medical school enrolment and the migration of Nigerian doctors abroad, issues that continue to pose significant challenges to the country’s healthcare system.
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