The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has warned of an impending shortage of healthcare consultants, with 1,700 consultants aged 55 and above set to retire within the next five years.
The association noted that only 6,000 consultants remain in the country.
MDCAN President, Prof. Muhammad Mohammad, made the announcement on Thursday during the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting in Ilorin.
The meeting was themed, “Policy Making for Quality Healthcare Services: Engaging Policy Makers for Quality Healthcare Delivery.”
Mohammad explained that only 6,000 consultants remain in Nigeria as of February 2024.
He lamented that data indicated approximately 16,000 consultants had left the country in the past five years.
Looming retirements and limited replacements
The MDCAN president highlighted that the number of medical consultants in the country would continue to dwindle due to the retirement age of 60 years.
“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 noted.
He further emphasized that the reduction in the number of consultants would persist as long as the country produces only one or two new consultants annually.
“The replacement cannot keep up with the loss from ‘Japa’ syndrome and retirement,” Mohammad said.
Proposals to address the crisis
- While commending the government’s efforts to address the issue, Mohammad expressed hope that medical consultants would be allowed to serve up to 70 years, with other healthcare workers serving until 65.
- This, he explained, would help ensure that those consultants who remain in the country continue to contribute their expertise to the healthcare sector.
- Mohammad also appealed to the government at all tiers to place medical lecturers on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to address disparities in their emoluments.
- He further expressed a desire for an environment where they can practice and deliver the best quality healthcare in Nigeria.
Policy as a tool for healthcare improvement
The Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, said the theme of the NEC meeting was apt, noting that appropriate policies were critical to assist the government in delivering quality healthcare to citizens.
El-Imam emphasized that policies must be targeted at the right segments, tailored to the specific needs of the state or nation, and effectively communicated to the end users.
“All of these contribute towards ensuring that the life and health of the people are safeguarded,” she said.
- In his presentation, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Amos Magaji, a lawmaker representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the 10th National Assembly, highlighted the significance of policymaking in healthcare delivery.
- He noted that healthcare is fundamental to life, and policies such as the National Health Insurance Authority will ensure that Nigerians are covered for healthcare services.