The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, has raised alarm over the severe shortage of medical doctors in government-owned hospitals across the state.
The Oyo NMA Chairman, Dr. Happy Adedapo, disclosed this on Monday in Ibadan, describing the situation as “appalling and dangerous” for effective healthcare delivery.
Adedapo lamented that several general hospitals in the state operate with only one or two doctors, while some have none at all.
“Out of more than twenty general hospitals reviewed, six — Okaka, Iresa-Adu, Ikoyi-Ile, Sepeteri, Lanlate, and Ayete — currently have no doctors on ground.
“Others such as Igbeti, Igboho, Iganna, Iwere-Ile, Iseyin, Ago-Amodu, Ago-Are, Lagun, Eruwa, and Igboora each have just one doctor managing hundreds of patients,” he said.
He added that a few hospitals — including Kisi, Okeho, and Tede — have two doctors each, while Apata General Hospital in Ibadan has four, the highest number recorded among general hospitals.
Adedapo also noted that the Government House Clinic has only one doctor, while the School of Hygiene Clinic operates without any.
According to him, every general hospital in Oyo State used to have at least five to seven doctors in the past, unlike the current situation where some hospitals have none.
“The best a general hospital can get now is one, two, or at most three doctors, and only a few have up to four,” he said.
The NMA chairman called on the state government to urgently address the shortage, noting that LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, which once had about 150 doctors, now has fewer than 60.
“Doctors are overworked, burdened, and poorly remunerated. Governor Seyi Makinde recently visited LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and made promises we hope will materialize.
“While some positive pronouncements have been made for the hospital, we also expect to hear more about the university’s medical programs,” Adedapo added.
He further disclosed that medical students at the College of Medicine, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, have been on strike for nearly three months.
Adedapo also blamed the ongoing “Japa” syndrome — the migration of healthcare workers abroad — for worsening the shortage of doctors.
He urged the government to improve doctors’ welfare through prompt payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund, implementation of the reviewed CONMESS salary structure, and provision of car and housing loans, as well as better hospital equipment.
“If nothing is done urgently, the healthcare delivery system in Oyo State will continue to deteriorate,” he warned.
