FIC Report (Lagos State) – The Lagos state government has raised the alarm over the worsening brain drain in the medical sector, saying that the exodus of healthcare professionals is severely hampering service delivery across the state.
To stem the tide, the state is implementing bold measures aimed at revitalising its health workforce and infrastructure.
Speaking during a press briefing to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, stated that Lagos currently has 7,000 doctors on its payroll, far below its target of 49,000.
This shortfall, he noted, falls well beneath the World Health Organisation’s recommended doctor-patient ratio of 1:200.
Professor Abayomi outlined a multi-pronged strategy to combat the trend, which includes training more medical personnel, attracting diaspora doctors back to Lagos, purchasing cutting-edge medical equipment, and enhancing welfare packages, including providing accommodation for healthcare workers.
As part of long-term efforts, the commissioner said the state has submitted an executive bill to the Lagos state House of Assembly to expand the admission capacity of medical institutions such as Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM).
“Our health ministry is the largest in the state with 18,000 staff and 40 directors. Despite the challenges, we are determined to close the gap in healthcare delivery,” he stated.
He added that the government is also partnering with private medical practitioners to boost services.
Professor Abayomi noted that Nigeria faces an overall shortage of about 300,000 doctors, with no fewer than 16,000 Nigerian doctors having emigrated in recent years in search of better opportunities.
Signed
Shodipe-Dosunmu Adewole
Principal Information Officer
24/04/25
