Sixty-five years after Nigeria gained independence, the country’s healthcare system remains deeply challenged, according to Dr. Sahedd Babajide, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Lagos State.
Despite numerous reforms and substantial investments, the healthcare sector is still fragile and unable to provide fair and quality services to Nigerians. One major issue is the ongoing brain drain, known as the “Japa syndrome,” where many doctors and medical professionals leave for better opportunities abroad. Reversing this trend will require better pay, tax-free call duty allowances, improved welfare, continuous training, research support, upgraded infrastructure, and a more supportive work environment.
Funding for healthcare is severely lacking, with both federal and state governments allocating only 4 to 6 percent of their budgets to health, far below the 15 percent target set in the 2001 Abuja Declaration. Resources are often diverted to large projects that offer little benefit to the public.
Primary healthcare facilities are neglected, which undermines the whole system, as secondary and tertiary hospitals depend on a strong primary care base. Poor infrastructure, outdated equipment, and limited facilities make the sector unattractive for healthcare workers and unsafe for patients.
The country is also ill-prepared for health emergencies and epidemics, and medical tourism continues to drain resources due to a lack of political commitment to improve domestic healthcare.
To fix these issues, there is a need to upgrade and standardize healthcare services at all levels, increase funding with better management and transparency, create clear career paths for healthcare workers, appoint competent leaders, establish Infectious Disease Hospitals and Trauma Centers across all states and the Federal Capital Territory, develop specialized hospitals for pediatrics, kidney care, heart treatment, cancer, and neurosurgery, and strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme to expand coverage and improve service delivery.
Without urgent reforms, Nigeria’s healthcare system risks worsening, with serious consequences for both the people and the economy.
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