Health
‘Nigeria Requires 290, 000 Medical Doctors to Meet WHO Standard’
A medical expert. Prof. Abdulkadir Tabari has called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to make Nigeria’s medical residency program relevant and visible in the global mix.
Tabari who is the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna made the call in an address at the 39th annual General meeting and scientific conference of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Thursday in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the theme of the conference is ‘Human Resource Challenges of Residency Training: Nigerian situation in the Global mix.
’Tabari said it was important to strengthen the residency programme in order to bridge existing huge gap in doctor to patient ratio in the country.
According to him, a study by WHO published by Spectator Index on January 13 shows Nigeria produces 0.37 doctors per 1000 people.
“According to MDCN as at 2018, there are about 72,000 nationally registered Nigerian doctors, with only about 35,000 practicing in Nigeria.
“This means there is about 1 doctor to every 5 ,700 Nigerians. Far below the WHO standard of 1 doctor to 600 people.”
Tabari said the country needs about 290,000 doctors to fill in the decifit to attain the World Health Organisation standard.
He however noted that Residency programme has recorded some important milestones over the years in spite of numerous challenges.
“Despite the low rate by WHO standard, many doctors cannot get government jobs, leaving many to seek jobs with private facilities most of whom give very menial payment and operate below standard.”
The CMD challenged training institutions to come up with training courses for consultants to keep them abreast of current developmentS in medicine as a way forward in the wake of challenges in Nigerian health system.
He also called for enabling environment for quality research by trainers and residents.
He advised government to partner with equipment manufacturers and business moguls on public private partnership to supply needed facilities for training in line with residency training act.
He added that relevant agencies such as medical and dental councils should partner with state governments towards establishling more medical schools and health facilities for training of House Officers and Resident Doctors.
He said government at both Federal and state levels should ensure adequate funding of tertiary health institutions.
Tabari advocated for funding of projects for the rehabilitation and rebranding of tertiary hospitals at least every five years, to ensure sustained optimum hospital environment conducive for healthcare service delivery, teaching and learning.
Earlier in his speech, NARDA National President, Dr Olusegun Olaopa said sound and effective residency training is key to a functional healthcare system as it is the only means of ensuring availability of specialist services to Nigerians.
He said globally emphasis is gradually shifting away from mere specialisation to sub specialisation.
” The human resource challenge has been with us for a while but has rapidly metastasized recently as our health professionals have become one of the major exports to the world.”
According to him, the next level agenda will be a mirage if serious and sincere efforts are not made to address the human resource challenges mitigating against the availability of well trained and highly motivated specialists and other healthcare workers.
” The recent assent into law of the medical residency training act is indeed a step in the right direction,” Olaopo said.
In her welcome remarks, the ARD President, ABUTH Shika Dr Bilkis Muhammad said the AGM come at a time when there was need to look at the structure of the residency program and situate it appropriately in the global context.
” This will help us in coming up with far reaching recommendations that will reshape it and ultimately the health sector as Residency training is the core fabric of health sector.”(NAN)
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate yesterday ordered mandatory health screening for every international passenger arriving Nigeria airports, seaports, land borders as Ebola resurfaces in the Democratic Republic of Congo with a scare case reported in the FCT.
The resolution followed an urgent motion by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who warned that with Lassa fever already ravaging states, Nigeria cannot afford another outbreak.
“Protecting our entry points is far cheaper than managing Ebola,” Fadahunsi told the chamber.
Lawmakers insisted screening must be total and indiscriminate — no exemptions based on nationality or departure country because infected travellers can transit through safe-listed nations.
Senator Diket Plang raised the stakes further, demanding immediate funding for NCDC and Port Health Services, including release of withheld funds and emergency budget.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Federal Government has started releasing Ebola response funds but ordered relevant committees to track every kobo.
“Ascertain whether the funds were released and judiciously utilised. Any outstanding debt must be released by the Finance Ministry without delay,” Akpabio directed.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Government (FG), on yesterday confirmed one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof.
Muhammad Ali Pate, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja.He said the patient, a woman, who was from Uganda, was admitted in Abuja and the diagnosis has been confirmed.
The statement reads, “The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.“The Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NCDC are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread..
“Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Surveillance has been intensified, and the hospital is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
“The FG calls on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to be on high alert. Healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.
“What Nigerians Should Know and Do
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with the disease or has died from it, or through contact with contaminated materials. A person with Ebola cannot spread the disease before symptoms begin”.
The Federal Government therefore advised residents to remain calm but vigilant.
“Remain calm but vigilant. There is no need for panic. Practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola.
Watch for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.
“Report any possible exposure immediately, even if you feel well. If you develop symptoms, avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
” Cooperate with public health teams. Anyone contacted during contact tracing, including relevant airline passengers, should provide the necessary information and follow public health advice.
“Avoid rumours and stigma. Share only verified information from official health authorities” .
The Minister recalled, “Our Assurance to Nigerians. Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case. However, containing Ebola requires everyone to play their part.
“The Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public. Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information.
” We urge Nigerians to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities. Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone’s cooperation are critical to preventing further spread.
“The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and NCDC will continue to provide updates.
NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232″.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Benue State House of Assembly has passed into law a landmark legislation aimed at eliminating tuberculosis (TB) and protecting persons affected by the disease from discrimination and human-rights violations.
The legislation, known as the Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Law of Benue State, 2026, was passed into Law during Thursday plenary presided over by Speaker, Rt.
Hon.Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS, following consideration of the report of the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.The committee, chaired by Hon. Matthew Damkor, Ph.D., said the legislation was necessary to provide a comprehensive legal framework for tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and control across the state.
The law also seeks to safeguard the rights of persons affected by Tuberculosis (TB), including their rights to dignity, healthcare, privacy, information, employment, education and social protection.
In its report, the committee identified several areas of the original Bill that required amendment, particularly provisions relating to federal laws and institutions, implementation responsibilities, screening and isolation, enforcement mechanisms, offences and penalties.
The committee recommended the removal of provisions purporting to amend federal legislation, particularly the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, noting that such amendments were inappropriate for state legislation.
It also recommended that references to federal institutions as implementing authorities be replaced with relevant Benue State institutions, while allowing for lawful collaboration with federal authorities.
The committee further recommended that the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, through the Ministry of Health and relevant state agencies, be clearly designated to coordinate the implementation of the law.
On the protection of fundamental rights, the House called for clearer safeguards in provisions dealing with TB screening, isolation and restriction of movement, including informed consent, confidentiality, medical necessity, proportionality and the use of the least restrictive measures.
It also recommended the establishment of an accessible mechanism for receiving complaints, addressing discrimination and providing remedies to persons whose rights may have been violated under the law.
The House further urged relevant agencies to ensure that offences and penalties under the legislation are clearly defined, proportionate and enforceable.
After considering and adopting the committee’s recommendations clause-by-clause, the bill was read for the third time and subsequently passed into law by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emberga following a unanimous consideration and adoption by members.
The Tuberculosis Law which was sponsored by Hon. Dr. Simon Gabo of Mata State Constituency and others, is expected to strengthen Benue State’s response to tuberculosis and provide a stronger legal framework for protecting persons affected by the disease from stigmatization, discrimination and other rights violations.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Organisations, Lawyers Alert and Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, MHR, have commended the Benue State House of Assembly for taking steps to strengthen the state’s response to tuberculosis, and protect the rights of persons affected by the disease.
In a joint statement, the President of Lawyers Alert, Rommy Mom and the Executive of MHR, Alu Azege said the Bill brings health and human rights dimensions of TB into legislative conversation in the state.
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