The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State Chapter, has raised the alarm over what it describes as an alarming shortage of medical doctors in the state, revealing that only about 1,800 doctors are currently serving more than 16 million residents.
The chairman of the association, Dr. Abdurrahman Ali, disclosed this during this year’s Physicians’ Week celebration in Kano, themed, “Healthcare as a Value Chain: Building Efficiency from Policy to Patient.”
Dr. Ali said the doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano stands at one doctor to 12,000 patients, far from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended ratio of one doctor to 600 patients.
He described the situation as “deeply troubling,” noting that the shortage has stretched the capacity of available medical personnel, weakened service delivery, and increased the rate of preventable deaths - particularly in rural communities.
“The health workforce in Kano is under immense pressure. Many doctors are overworked, demoralized, and poorly motivated - yet they continue to serve. But unless urgent steps are taken, more will leave the country,” Dr. Ali warned.
Brain Drain and Funding Challenges
The NMA chairman linked the crisis to the growing wave of brain drain in the country, with many doctors migrating to Europe, the Middle East, North America, and in Federal Government hospitals in the country in search of better working conditions.
He also lamented that health expenditure in Nigeria remains at about 4.08 percent of GDP, far below the global average and the 15 percent Abuja Declaration target agreed upon by African leaders in 2001.
According to him, inadequate funding has resulted in poor infrastructure, outdated medical equipment, and a shortage of essential drugs across health facilities.
“The reality is that without proper investment, the health sector cannot function effectively. Healthcare must be treated as a national priority,” he emphasized.
Specialist Shortage and Rising Health Risks
Dr. Ali expressed particular concern about the shortage of medical specialists, revealing that Kano currently has only five interventional cardiologists, despite the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart-related ailments.
He warned that the scarcity of specialists means that many patients are forced to travel long distances - sometimes outside the state - to access life-saving cardiac procedures such as angioplasty and catheterization.
“With only five interventional cardiologists serving a population this large, access to advanced heart care is dangerously limited,” he said.
Weak Primary Health System
The NMA chairman also attributed about 80 percent of deaths in rural communities to weaknesses in the primary healthcare system, which often lacks trained personnel, functional facilities, and proper referral mechanisms.
He urged both federal and state governments to strengthen the referral network linking primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, and to institutionalize quality assurance mechanisms that focus on patient safety and treatment outcomes.
Call for Action
Dr. Ali called for renewed commitment to workforce development, urging government at all levels to honor agreements with medical professionals, improve remuneration, and provide a conducive environment for healthcare delivery.
He said such reforms would not only help retain skilled professionals but also ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
“We must invest in doctors, nurses, and other health workers because without them, no health system can thrive,” he stressed.
As the NMA continues to push for reforms, the association says it remains committed to partnering with government and stakeholders to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system that meets the needs of every resident of Kano and beyond.
