Aging workforce, brain drain threaten Nigeria's healthcare system - NMA

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has warned that the country's healthcare system is at risk of losing its experienced professionals and facing a severe shortage of skilled workers, due to an aging workforce and brain drain.

Prof. Rowland Osuoji, a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, said this while delivering the 5th Prof Festus Nwako Memorial Lecture at the Anambra NMA 2024 Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting held in Onitsha on Friday.

Osuoji, who is the President of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria, delivered a lecture entitled, ‘Excellent, Resilient and Equitable Healthcare System Amidst Economic Downturn.'

According to him, the shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria became worse in the mid-1980s when the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, reduced the purchasing power of the people and regretted that nothing had been done to effectively arrest the trend.

He further explained that the development led to a brain drain, as highly skilled older colleagues left and relocated abroad.

“That is the current brain drain, but the difference is the younger ones are involved, and it is more frightening, for obvious reasons.

“Who will replace the aging healthcare workforce?,”

Speaking further, he said the health sector is also faced with the challenges of insufficient and inconsistent government funding, heavy reliance on out-of-pocket payments, poor condition of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas.

He, therefore, recommended adoption of health insurance schemes that encourage private sector involvement, telemedicine, community engagement and equitable healthcare for all Nigerians irrespective of their socioeconomic status.

“Collaborative efforts among policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities are essential.

“Prioritise investments in healthcare infrastructure, innovation, and equitable access to ensure robust health systems capable of withstanding economic challenges in Nigeria,” he said.