The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State chapter, has warned that the state's healthcare system is under severe strain, revealing that only about 1,200 doctors are currently responsible for providing medical care to an estimated population of nine million people.
Speaking in Abeokuta on Thursday during a press briefing to unveil activities marking the 2026 NMA Week and Annual General Meeting, the association said the shortage of medical professionals has reached a critical level, while doctors who remain in Nigeria continue to face harassment, intimidation and physical attacks.
The Chairman of the Ogun State NMA, Dr Luqman Ogunjinmi, said the state presently has roughly one doctor serving every 7,500 residents, a situation he described as grossly inadequate for effective healthcare delivery.
According to him, Ogun requires between 5,000 and 10,000 doctors to meet the healthcare demands of its growing population.
"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," Ogunjinmi said.
He added that having at least 5,000 doctors would significantly improve healthcare services across the state.
"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 stated.
The event, themed "Protecting Healthcare Providers: Addressing Violence Against Doctors and Strengthening a Safe Healthcare System," also highlighted increasing concerns over attacks on healthcare workers.
Ogunjinmi said violence against doctors has become a major challenge, warning that it is contributing to the continued migration of Nigerian medical professionals to countries offering better working conditions and welfare packages.
He alleged that doctors, particularly those practising in border communities including Ota, Mowe and Ogijo, are frequently arrested or harassed by security agencies over medical cases that should first be investigated by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
According to him, allegations of professional negligence should be handled through the country's recognised medical regulatory framework rather than through immediate law enforcement action.
"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," he said.
He explained that the association has intervened in several cases involving doctors arrested after patients died during treatment, insisting that proper investigations must be carried out before assigning blame.
"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 added.
Ogunjinmi stressed that although doctors remain committed to providing quality healthcare, 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 has already initiated legal action in some cases involving assaults on doctors and plans to expand public awareness campaigns through radio, newspapers and social media to discourage attacks on healthcare workers.
While reaffirming doctors' commitment to serving Nigerians, Ogunjinmi appealed for greater support from both government and the public.
"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 said.
The NMA chairman also commended Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving and implementing the Professional Allowance Table and Specialist Allowance for doctors, describing the decision as a positive development.
He, however, noted that additional improvements were still needed to strengthen the state's health sector.
"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 stated.
Ogunjinmi further appealed to the state government to streamline the multiple taxes imposed on private medical practitioners and acknowledged improvements in several primary healthcare centres, while urging continued investment in facilities that still require upgrading.
Nigeria continues to face a shortage of healthcare professionals, largely driven by the migration of doctors and other medical workers abroad in search of better pay and improved working conditions. Health sector stakeholders have consistently warned that the growing brain drain, coupled with poor welfare and insecurity, is placing increasing pressure on healthcare delivery nationwide. The World Health Organisation recommends a significantly lower doctor-to-patient ratio than what currently exists across many Nigerian states.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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