Posted on: Thu 03-04-2025

 

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the employment of 34 resident doctors for a seven-year residency training program—a decision that has been applauded as a boost to healthcare delivery in Abuja. But is this truly the game-changer it’s being made out to be? Or is it just another small fix for a much deeper crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare system?

A Bold Move, But Is It Enough?

Let’s be clear: hiring more doctors is always a good thing. With Nigeria’s ongoing "Japa" syndrome, where medical professionals leave the country in droves for better opportunities abroad, any move to strengthen the local healthcare workforce is commendable.

However, 34 doctors—even when expanded to the 60 planned hires—feels like a drop in the ocean when considering the severe doctor shortage in Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:600, but in Nigeria, it’s a staggering 1:5,000 or worse in many areas.

Does Wike’s plan address this fundamental issue? Not quite.

Breaking Down the Numbers

According to Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister, the 34 doctors will be spread across eight specialities, including:

• Psychiatry – 5
• Internal Medicine – 4
• General Surgery – 1
• Anesthesiology – 1
• Family Medicine – 8
• Ophthalmology – 6
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology – 9

While these additions are a step forward, one must ask: Is hiring just one additional general surgeon and one anesthesiologist really enough to meet the rising demand for complex medical procedures in the FCT?

A Systemic Problem Requires a Systemic Solution

It’s easy to celebrate small wins, but Nigeria’s healthcare sector needs a comprehensive overhaul, not just isolated recruitment drives. Here’s what must change:

•  Better working conditions – Many doctors leave not just because of pay, but because of poor hospital infrastructure, lack of equipment, and overwhelming workloads.
•  More training opportunities – Residency slots are limited in Nigeria, forcing many young doctors to seek training abroad—where they eventually stay. Expanding medical education programs is just as critical as hiring new doctors.
•  Stronger incentives to retain talent – Without competitive salaries, better career progression, and a conducive working environment, these new hires will likely join the next wave of “Japa” doctors before their seven-year residency ends.

So, What’s the Verdict?

Wike’s approval of 34 resident doctors is a step in the right direction, but it does little to address the larger crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare system. If policymakers truly want to fix the sector, they must think beyond token recruitments and start implementing holistic reforms—or risk losing even the doctors they’ve just hired.

So the real question remains: Will this initiative mark the beginning of a long-term solution, or will it be just another political announcement with little impact?

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