As part of efforts to address the personnel deficit in the health sector, the Nigerian Government has enlisted 2,497 healthcare professionals, including doctors, midwives, nurses, and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) in the past six months.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate disclosed this during the third edition of the ministerial press briefing series in Abuja on Wednesday.
The briefing series was initiated to provide a platform for public officials to reel out their achievements and update Nigerians on the challenges of governance.
Prof Pate said President Bola Tinubu led administration has made remarkable strides made in enhancing healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality.
He explained that the achievements recorded signal progress and improvements hence the need to continue to sustain and build on these gains.
“In the last six months, the government recruited 2,497 Doctors, Midwives/Nurses, and CHEWs to bridge the gaps in healthcare,” he said.
“An additional 1,400 health facilities now have Skilled Birth Attendants to assist in deliveries at the health facilities. This has increased the number of health facility deliveries to as high as 230,000 deliveries per month.”
Prof Pate noted that the government has prioritized the revitalization of primary healthcare facilities, and ensuring they are adequately equipped and staffed to provide essential services to communities.
“Through sustained investment and strategic partnerships, we have expanded access to vital healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved areas, improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of preventable diseases,” he said.
Brain drain
The exodus of healthcare professionals, especially doctors, pharmacists, and nurses to developed countries has been on the increase.
Various statistics show that Nigeria has continued to lose hundreds of doctors annually to brain drain, a large number of them to the UK.
Data documented by the development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), shows that in 2015, 233 Nigerian doctors moved to the UK; in 2016 the number increased to 279; in 2017 the figure was 475, in 2018, the figure rose to 852, in 2019 it jumped to 1,347; in 2020, the figure was 833 and in 2021, it was put at 932.
The continued emigration of health practitioners has led to a shortage of skilled health workers in the country, which has negatively affected the quality of healthcare services provided to the citizens.