Japa: 1 doctor to 4,000 patients in Nigeria - College of Surgeons raise alarm

The International College of Surgeons, Nigerian Section, has raised concerns over the large amount of doctors relocating outside the country in search for better standard of living.

According to report, about 6,221 doctors have left Nigeria to the United Kingdom in the last six years.

It was stated that Nigeria now has a ratio of 1 doctor to over 4,000 patients contrary to the World Health Organisation’s standard of 1 doctor to 600 patients.

This revealed in a communique jointly signed by its president, Professor Akanimo Essiet and secretary general, Professor Lucky Onotai, after the college’s 56th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Lagos over the weekend.

It read; “The ‘Japa’ phenomenon has drastically reduced our healthcare workforce. Studies show that about 87 per cent of our workforce are dissatisfied and wish to emigrate to greener pastures. Before 2022, we had a ratio of 1 doctor to 4,000 patients whereas the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended standard is one doctor to 600 patients.

“Evidence shows that the gap widens and the number of registered Nigerian doctors in the UK rose from 4,765 in 2017 to 10,986 in 2023. This meant that 6,221 doctors were lost to the UK in the past six years. This suggests that over 40 million Nigerians will find it harder to see a doctor."

Report indicates that economic hardship and insecurity a some of the major causes that has led to the relocation outside Nigeria.