One Doctor Attends to 3,500 Patients — Minister Raises Alarm on Health Sector Crisis!

One Doctor Attends to 3,500 Patients — Minister Raises Alarm on Health Sector Crisis!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has disclosed that the country is grappling with a dire doctor-to-patient ratio, with one doctor attending to approximately 3,500 Nigerians — far worse than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:600.

What We Know:

• Dr. Salako made the revelation during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, highlighting the urgent need to retain health professionals and reverse the trend of medical brain drain.
• The doctor-to-patient ratio reflects severe shortages in human resources across public hospitals and primary health centres.
• He also warned that if the current migration trend continues, the health system may face collapse in underserved areas.

Quote:

“We are in a critical situation. One doctor is expected to care for 3,500 people. This is unsustainable and dangerous to public health.”
— Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health

Why It Matters:

• Underscores Nigeria’s worsening health worker shortage amid rising emigration of doctors.
• Highlights the strain on healthcare delivery, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Raises questions on healthcare investment, medical education capacity, and worker welfare.

What to Watch:

• Federal government strategies to increase medical school admissions and improve retention.
• Reforms in health worker remuneration and infrastructure upgrades.
• Legislative or executive moves to curb medical brain drain.

Sources:

1. Vanguard – “One doctor attending to 3,500 patients in Nigeria — Minister” (Nov. 3, 2025)
2. Punch – “Salako: Health sector under strain due to migration, shortages”
3. WHO – Global Health Workforce Statistics

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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