By Emmanuel Nduka
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has revealed a concerning decline in the number of medical consultants in the country, with only 6,000 remaining as of February 2024.
During the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Ilorin on Thursday, MDCAN President, Prof. Muhammad Mohammad, outlined the alarming trend, noting that 1,300 consultants have left Nigeria in the last five years alone due to the “Japa” syndrome — a phenomenon where professionals migrate for better opportunities abroad.
Prof. Mohammad highlighted that with an aging workforce, the situation is set to worsen. “Around 1,700 consultants are over 55, meaning that within the next five years, they’ll retire, further depleting our healthcare workforce,” he said.
He further stressed that the country is struggling to produce enough replacements, with only one or two new consultants trained annually, making it impossible to offset the ongoing losses from both emigration and retirement.
This growing shortage underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to retain healthcare professionals and ensure the future of Nigeria’s medical services.
For years, Nigerian healthcare professionals have been exiting the country in droves with the intent to secure greener pastures, especially in Europe and America.
