The House of Representatives Committee on Health has disclosed that due to a scarcity of health workers, five wards with approximately 150 beds have been forced to shut down at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.
Dr. Amos Magaji, the committee chairman, expressed concern about the dire situation, emphasizing that despite the high influx of patients received daily at the institution, there are insufficient health workers available to operate the wards.
Commenting on the brain drain plaguing the hospital, especially in terms of doctors and nurses seeking opportunities abroad, Magaji noted that LUTH was facing a significant threat.
During an oversight visit to the teaching hospital, Magaji highlighted the alarming rate of health worker migration as a national embarrassment for the country.
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Efforts are underway to address the mass exodus of healthcare professionals to other countries. Magaji stated that the committee would collaborate with the Federal Government and LUTH to find solutions to these national challenges.
Magaji explained that some immediate and long-term measures would be implemented to tackle the issue, beginning with reforms in university enrollment, employment of house officers, and the residency program.
Acknowledging the demanding conditions under which many health professionals in Nigeria work, Magaji emphasized the committee’s commitment to addressing funding and infrastructure issues.
The committee’s focus extends to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for Nigerians, recognizing the sacrifices made by healthcare workers in the pursuit of a healthier nation.
In response, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, appealed to corporate individuals and Nigerians to collaborate with the institution to deliver quality healthcare services to the people.
Adeyemo affirmed LUTH’s dedication to forging public-private partnerships in areas such as cancer management, radiodiagnosis, laboratory services, ophthalmology services, and dental care. He stressed that working together with other stakeholders would significantly contribute to overcoming the major challenges facing the health sector.
