The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State chapter, has raised concerns over the severe shortage of medical doctors in the state, revealing that only about 1,200 physicians are currently serving an estimated population of nine million people.
The association said the figure translates to roughly one doctor for every 7,500 residents, warning that the shortage is far below what is required to provide quality healthcare services across the state.
It also lamented that despite the dwindling number of doctors caused by the continued migration of healthcare professionals abroad, those who have remained in Nigeria are increasingly subjected to harassment, intimidation and attacks by members of the public and, in some instances, security agencies.
The Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the NMA, Dr. Luqman Ogunjinmi, disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference in Abeokuta ahead of the association’s 2026 NMA Week and Annual General Meeting.
The event is themed, “Protecting Healthcare Providers: Addressing Violence Against Doctors and Strengthening a Safe Healthcare System.”
Ogunjinmi said the exodus of Nigerian doctors had significantly worsened the manpower deficit in the state’s health sector, stressing that those who chose to remain deserved better welfare and protection.
“If you have an estimated population of about nine million in Ogun State and we have only 1,200 doctors working in the state, you know this is a far cry. However, the 1,200 doctors remaining have decided to stay back to give back to their country,” he said.
According to him, Ogun State requires between 5,000 and 10,000 doctors to adequately meet the healthcare needs of its growing population.
“If we have between 5,000 and 10,000 doctors in Ogun State, it will not be too bad. We need nothing less than 5,000 doctors. But those 1,200 doctors who are still here are trying their best,” he added.
The NMA chairman also decried the rising cases of violence against healthcare workers, warning that assaults, harassment and intimidation of doctors are contributing to the worsening brain drain in the health sector.
He alleged that medical practitioners, particularly those serving in border communities such as Ota, Mowe and Ogijo, are frequently arrested by security agencies over clinical issues that should ordinarily be investigated by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
“When a doctor is delivering services, there is an organised body meant to investigate allegations of professional negligence. It is the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. We do not want security agencies prosecuting clinical matters without following due process,” Ogunjinmi said.
He explained that the association had intervened in several cases involving the arrest of doctors after patients died, insisting that professional investigations must precede any criminal action.
“Doctors cannot be working and suddenly security agents storm the hospital to arrest them because a patient died. Diagnosis and treatment are continuous processes. You must investigate properly before concluding that a doctor is culpable,” he stated.
While acknowledging that doctors strive to provide the highest standard of care, Ogunjinmi noted that medical professionals cannot guarantee every treatment outcome.
“We try our best to provide quality healthcare, but we are not God. It is God who heals. If anyone has a complaint, there are complaint channels such as SERVICOM within hospitals. Assaulting healthcare workers is not acceptable,” he said.
He disclosed that the association had instituted legal action in some assault cases to discourage attacks on healthcare workers and would intensify public awareness campaigns through radio, print and social media.
“Nigeria remains our home. We are here and we will continue to do our best to serve our people. We only ask that government and the public support and protect those who have chosen to stay,” he added.
Ogunjinmi commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving and implementing the Professional Allowance Table and Specialist Allowance for doctors, describing the decision as a positive step toward improving doctors’ welfare.
“Approving this allowance and implementing it is one of the several steps that we require. There are still gaps, but for what they have done, we must commend them and encourage them to do more,” he said.
He also urged the state government to harmonise the multiple taxes imposed on private medical practitioners and acknowledged improvements recorded in some primary healthcare centres across the state, while noting that more work remained to be done.
Nigeria continues to face a critical shortage of healthcare professionals as thousands of doctors leave the country in search of better pay and improved working conditions abroad.
The World Health Organisation recommends a significantly lower doctor-to-patient ratio than what currently exists in many Nigerian states, with health experts warning that the continued brain drain, poor welfare and insecurity are placing enormous pressure on the country’s healthcare system and limiting access to quality medical care.