Nigeria’s Recurring Doctor Shortage

The revelation by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that the state is facing a shortage of approximately 40,000 doctors and 40,000 nurses is another troubling indication of the deepening manpower crisis in Nigeria’s health sector.
Speaking at the opening of the second Eko Health Convention, the governor disclosed that Lagos currently has only about 7,000 doctors, a number he said was grossly inadequate to meet the healthcare needs of the state’s rapidly growing population.
He also warned that the state’s healthcare system requires at least an additional N100 billion beyond its current budget to adequately cater for its residents.
The situation in Lagos is not an isolated...