Lagos in need of 30,000 medical doctors – Health Commissioner

By Aisha Dahuwa

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has revealed that the state’s healthcare system is severely understaffed.

Speaking on Wednesday at the ongoing 2024 Clean-Air Forum in Lagos, Abayomi said the state’s health care system lacks 30,000 medical practitioners to meet its needs.

He said the scarcity of medical professionals has resulted in an overworked and overstretched workforce, struggling to bridge the gap in the available doctor-to-patient ratio.

“The dearth of medical doctors in Lagos has overstretched the available officials, making it challenging to bridge the gap in the available doctor-to-patient ratio.

“Brain drain has significantly contributed to this personnel deficit.” the commissioner said.

Abayomi emphasized the need for inter-agency collaborations to address the crisis, adding that the state urgently requires more medical professionals to cater to its growing population.

“Lagos’ annual population growth rate of 6-8% poses significant challenges, including a complex tuberculosis index, which we are actively working to address,” he said.

The commissioner stressed the importance of promoting air quality and halting environmental pollution, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts from various agencies.

“We will continue to support every effort to improve air quality, reduce airborne and waterborne diseases, and enhance the health and well-being of residents,” he assured

While acknowledging concerns about the shortage of bed spaces in state health centers, he said: “We are working to address this issue by constructing modern facilities and establishing a medical research institution, which will bridge the gap within 18 months and provide improved services to the public.”