The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospital Management Board, Abdulrahman Malik, has raised concerns over the alarming shortage of medical doctors in state-run hospitals due to the growing trend of migration among health professionals, popularly referred to as the ‘Japa’ syndrome.

Speaking at the first quarter 2025 inter-ministerial press briefing on Tuesday, April 29, Malik revealed that although the state requires between 180 and 200 doctors to effectively cater to its population, only 89 are currently in service.

“The mass exodus of health professionals is severely affecting our capacity to provide adequate care,” he stated. “Even though the government is ready to recruit, doctors are increasingly reluctant to take up appointments with the state.”

Malik explained that the number of serving doctors had recently increased from 86 to 89, following the return of three physicians who had earlier resigned. Their return, he noted, was largely due to the state government’s implementation of an improved salary structure that aligns with federal remuneration standards.

To address the healthcare workforce gap, Malik said the government is also investing in infrastructure upgrades and offering incentives to encourage medical personnel, particularly in underserved rural areas. In addition, an internship program for nurses has been launched to train replacements for the many who have also left the country.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, according to Malik, has approved salary enhancements for doctors in a bid to stem further losses and attract talent back into the state health system.

Despite these efforts, the staffing situation remains dire. Malik highlighted that Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio currently stands at approximately 1:5,000, significantly below the World Health Organisation’s recommended ratio of 1:600.