Only 11,899 resident doctors operate in Nigeria, says NAR

Only 11,899 resident doctors operate in Nigeria, says NAR

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has revealed that the number of its members is now 11,899.

The association, which represents about 40 per cent of Nigerian doctors, said improving incentives and working conditions would encourage more doctors to remain in the country.

In an exclusive interview NARD President, Dr Tope Osundara, said increasing the retirement age of healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years was not the only solution to addressing the growing human resource gap in the healthcare sector.

Osundara, however, explained that efforts should focus on making Nigeria’s medical facilities and working conditions more attractive to doctors.

He said, “Raising the retirement age is not the ultimate solution to filling the gap in human resources within the health sector. As you may notice, there are even doctors who, after finishing medical school, leave the country without waiting for a job. I know several who have been taking international exams just to leave Nigeria. Recently, a consultant who had completed residency in Nigeria was marked for a U.S. residency programme, and this is becoming increasingly common.

“In the past, Nigeria hosted medical professionals from countries like India, but now we’re seeing a reverse trend—many of our own doctors are leaving to work abroad. If we make the conditions here more appealing, we could even attract doctors from other countries to practice in Nigeria.”

While acknowledging that Nigeria might not be able to match the standards of developed countries, he suggested that a system similar to what exists in those countries would suffice.

“Even if we can’t reach 100 per cent of the standards in developed nations, a 70–80 per cent similarity would make doctors feel more comfortable, knowing that Nigeria is doing its best within its available resources,” he said.

According to him, the challenge extends beyond the medical sector, affecting multiple industries, saying, “We are all feeling the strain of harsh working conditions. Retaining our best talent is crucial for the growth of the country.”

Regarding the increase in retirement age, he noted that while it might benefit more agile healthcare workers, the impact on productivity remained a concern.

He also questioned the implementation of the national policy on health workforce migration approved by President Bola Tinubu in August 2024.

Osundara said, “The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has done his part, but implementation remains an issue. It’s one thing to propose a policy, but it’s another to see it through.”

“For instance, while the minimum wage has increased, there has been no corresponding adjustment in doctors’ salaries. How can we raise the bar when the foundational issues remain unresolved?”