In Nigeria, the ongoing strikes by medical professionals continue to pose a significant problem. For several weeks, conflicting stories, all...
In Nigeria, the ongoing strikes by medical professionals continue to pose a significant problem. For several weeks, conflicting stories, allegations, and responses have hindered efforts to address the strike initiated by the National Association of Resident Doctors. This impasse represents a major obstacle for an already struggling healthcare system.
Certainly, this strike has put the entire public health system at risk, something Nigerians cannot afford.
The Collective Health Sector Union, made up of major health unions, has participated in the industrial action. This increase requires immediate focus.
For three weeks now, patients and their families have been suffering through intense physical and emotional pain due to being unable to access medical care, even in life-threatening situations, as there are no doctors available. This is unacceptable.
The strike has brought 91 hospitals to a standstill, including federal teaching hospitals, specialized facilities, and federal medical centers, causing a disruption in healthcare services nationwide. Nigeria must not be allowed to turn into another Gaza.
Hence, the government needs to demonstrate genuine dedication and resolve in tackling the disputed matters, while resident doctors and other healthcare professionals should maintain integrity in their practices.
The authorities are obligated to thoroughly tackle the physicians' requests and bring them back to work for the benefit of the public.
Robust public health systems and individual wellness are closely connected to personal income and the overall economic success of a nation, and thus should be given priority.
In essence, the NARD announced "a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike" starting October 31, following the end of a 30-day ultimatum directed at the Federal Government and a five-day warning strike that took place on September 12. This warning strike was halted within 24 hours by orders from the NEC of the association.
The president of NARD, Mohammad Suleiman, stated that the ongoing strike relates to longstanding requests.
The physicians' 19-point proposal involves addressing the exodus of professionals within the field; immediate enhancement and upkeep of facilities and medical devices, along with support for well-being.
The issue of brain drain is becoming more severe each year. According to the NARD, Nigeria lost 18,949 doctors due to brain drain between 2005 and 2024, attributed to poor working conditions, insufficient facilities, and safety concerns.
Just in 2024, Nigeria experienced the departure of 4,193 medical professionals to various nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
This has resulted in a chaotic state of healthcare within the country. The Nigerian Medical Association reports that Nigeria's doctor-to-patient ratio ranges from 1:3,474 to 1:10,000. This is significantly lower than the World Health Organisation's suggested ratio of 1:600.
It leads to exhaustion among healthcare professionals. Some have collapsed while working.
Furthermore, professionals suggest that more than 60 percent of Nigerian doctors are working in other countries.
The PUNCH states that the movement of healthcare professionals abroad increased by 200% across all levels from 2023 to 2024.
To get away from the chaos, the wealthy turn to medical travel in India, Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. However, many Nigerians can't afford even some essential medical procedures.
As per the Nigerian Medical Association, citizens allocate $2 billion each year towards medical travel. This is funds misused.
In its defense, Minister of State for Health and Social Services, Adekunle Salako, stated that the government has met the majority of the NARD's 19-point requirements.
He mentioned that the two main requests have been fulfilled: revoking the approval for non-medical professionals to join the consultant group and withdrawing a directive from the Office of the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission regarding the approval of salary increases negotiated by a part of the healthcare staff.
Regarding the challenges of unregulated working hours and extended call duties caused by insufficient staff, Salako stated, “…in 2024, the Federal Minister of Health utilized a special waiver mechanism not applied in any other sector, enabling us to hire 14,444 health workers across 64 federal tertiary health institutions. Approximately 78 per cent of these individuals are clinical personnel. Of these, 908 are consultants.” This is logical.
Nevertheless, the NARD has denied the government's assertion that the majority of its requests have been fulfilled.
The NARD stated that a review of the government's assertions during the Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council meeting revealed that, in contrast to what the ministry claimed, none of its main points had been fulfilled.
"The ministry describes as progress, in reality, broken promises, unpaid amounts, and new committees — a recurring pattern of postponement and trickery that led to this strike initially," it stated.
We want to clarify the facts for the Nigerian people that, regarding payments and allowances, the ministry's statement that payments for the 25 per cent/35 per cent CONMESS review and 2024 additional allowances have started up to December 2024 is, at most, a prediction of action, not actual implementation.
NARD states it is still open to "results-focused discussions," but emphasizes: "The countrywide, complete, ongoing, and all-encompassing strike that began on November 1, 2025, is still in effect. As decided by our NEC, the strike will continue until our basic requirements, which represent the minimum necessary for a respectful and viable medical practice in Nigeria, are fulfilled."
Our tolerance has been worn down by years of compromising talks that result only in press statements full of empty triumphs.
The dire condition of the nation's healthcare system and the deplorable situation of medical professionals are not subjects for blame and rebuttals, but matters requiring immediate and genuine efforts.
The most vulnerable patients face the greatest challenges. Those who are poor cannot afford the high fees at private hospitals and turn to spiritual practices and unqualified treatments, which often make their health worse.
The Federal Ministry of Health, led by Ali Pate, must follow President Bola Tinubu's instruction to "do everything possible and lawful to get doctors back to their job positions."
The nation's healthcare system is on the verge of complete breakdown. Although numerous primary care centers are unable to handle basic health issues, major hospitals face a shortage of staff.
Additionally, Nigeria has not made health a priority, allocating only a small portion of its budget each year, in contrast to the 15 percent of annual budgets that African nations committed to in Abuja in 2001.
The United States allocated 17.5 percent of its GDP to healthcare in 2019, 19.5 percent in 2020, 18.3 percent in 2021, and 17.6 percent in 2023.
The United Kingdom allocated 11.0 percent of its GDP to healthcare in 2023 and 11.1 percent in 2024.
On the other hand, Nigeria's average health expenditure ranged between 4.0 and 6.0 percent of the overall budget in recent years.
The government's indifferent approach to healthcare services continues to put the lives of Nigerians at risk. The country's life expectancy is around 56.05 years, significantly lower than the global average of roughly 73.7 years and Europe's 81.7 years.
Hence, there is a pressing requirement to reform the healthcare system. Aging and insufficient facilities need to be updated and rejuvenated. If the government can allocate funds for large numbers of armored SUVs, it should also be able to secure funding for MRI machines.
Medical professionals and other healthcare staff are underpaid and face excessive workloads. Their well-being needs to be given priority to prevent the loss of skilled personnel, and funding for their sector should be significantly boosted.
The federal government needs to move away from unfulfilled commitments, which have damaged its reputation among employees.
The NARD calls for attention to policy, well-being, and long-term agreements that need to be addressed directly to improve the healthcare system.
A nation's prosperity is determined by the physical and mental state of its citizens. The administration needs to quickly respond to the requests from medical professionals and healthcare staff for the benefit of the country.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
