The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has raised concerns over a looming shortage of healthcare consultants, revealing that 1,700 consultants aged 55 and above are set to retire within five years. With only 6,000 consultants currently in the country, this retirement wave threatens to deepen the already precarious state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the MDCAN National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Ilorin on Thursday, MDCAN President Prof. Muhammad Mohammad highlighted the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare workforce. He lamented the exodus of talent, noting that approximately 16,000 consultants have left the country in the past five years.
Mohammad emphasised that the combination of retirements and the “Japa” syndrome—emigration for better opportunities abroad—has drastically reduced the consultant workforce. He noted, “About 1,700 consultants are above 55 years of age. This means that in the next five years, they are going to leave the services for retirement,” he said.
“The replacement cannot keep up with the loss from ‘Japa’ syndrome and retirement,” Mohammad added.
To address this alarming trend, Mohammad called on the government to extend the retirement age for medical consultants to 70 years, with other healthcare workers allowed to serve until 65. He also urged that medical lecturers be placed on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to address disparities in their earnings and incentivize them to remain in the country.
Mohammad stressed that the retention of experienced consultants is critical to safeguarding the healthcare system. He also appealed for a supportive environment that enables healthcare professionals to deliver quality services.
The NEC meeting, themed “Policy Making for Quality Healthcare Services: Engaging Policy Makers for Quality Healthcare Delivery,” highlighted the importance of sound policymaking in addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.
Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, emphasized the necessity of crafting targeted policies that cater to the country’s specific needs and are effectively communicated to end users.
Dr. Amos Magaji, a lawmaker representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, echoed these sentiments. He stressed that healthcare is fundamental to life and noted the potential of initiatives like the National Health Insurance Authority to enhance healthcare accessibility for Nigerians.
