The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has criticized the state of the country’s health sector, saying weak funding, poor planning, and worsening brain drain continue to undermine healthcare delivery, according to a statement marking Democracy Day 2026.
The group said Nigeria’s health system has shown “little improvement” over previous years, warning that doctors are still leaving the country in large numbers under what is widely described as the “Japa syndrome.”
“The Federal Government is not showing clear willingness to resolve the Japa syndrome through better remuneration, improved welfare, and working conditions,” said Dr. Saheed Babajide Kehinde, chairman of the NMA in Lagos State. “Instead, attention is shifting to international partnerships while basic health system challenges remain unresolved.”
The association also faulted what it described as inadequate health financing, saying budgetary allocations fall below the 15% benchmark set under the Abuja Declaration.
“Health funding remains grossly inadequate, and implementation of approved budgets is often poor,” Kehinde said.
The NMA warned that ongoing infrastructure projects in federal health institutions are frequently developed without matching investment in manpower and equipment, leaving facilities underutilized.
It also raised concern over shortages in training placements for medical graduates, saying delays in housemanship and internship opportunities mirror conditions seen in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
On disease preparedness, the association said Nigeria’s infectious disease response system remains weak and called for the establishment of dedicated infectious disease hospitals in all states and a central facility in Abuja.
The group further urged the government to establish specialist hospitals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to reduce medical tourism and improve access to specialized care.
“The Federal Government has underperformed in healthcare delivery due to lack of prioritization and commitment to health sector development,” Kehinde added.
The NMA called for urgent reforms in funding, staffing, infrastructure, and governance to prevent further deterioration of the health system.
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