Lagos Faces Critical Doctor Shortage: Can the Health System Survive?

The Lagos State government has revealed a massive shortfall in its healthcare workforce, stating it needs 33,000 doctors to meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended doctor-to-patient ratio.

Currently, Lagos, home to over 20 million people, has just 7,000 doctors, leaving a gap of 26,000 medical professionals.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, during a press briefing commemorating the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

What the Numbers Say

According to WHO, the ideal doctor-to-patient ratio is 1 doctor per 200 patients. But in Lagos, that ratio is significantly off the mark due to a nationwide medical brain drain.

“Nigeria has a shortage of 300,000 doctors overall, and more than **16,000 doctors have recently left the country,” Prof. Abayomi said.

Efforts to Close the Gap

Despite the shortfall, Lagos is working to fix the situation with targeted healthcare initiatives:

1. Over 18,000 healthcare workers already support the state’s primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities.
2. Investments are being made in cutting-edge medical technology.
3. The state is actively engaging with medical professionals in the diaspora, encouraging them to return or collaborate.
4. Infrastructure is expanding, with three new secondary hospitals to be inaugurated in Ojo, Lagos Island, and Ketu-Ejirin within the next 12 months.
5. Lagos is also focusing on building climate-resilient health facilities due to the city’s dense population and unique topography.

Lagos Leading in Cancer Care

Highlighting recent achievements, Prof. Abayomi mentioned that West Africa’s largest cancer centre is now in Alausa, offering comprehensive services for cancer patients.

“We have turned the corner,” he said, adding that more medical professionals are beginning to see Lagos as the next frontier for impactful healthcare service.