Kwara Government Raises Alarm Over Shortage of Medical Doctors

The Kwara State Government has expressed concern over the severe shortage of medical doctors across its health facilities, describing the situation as alarming and largely driven by the ongoing brain drain, popularly known as japa.

Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Abdulraheem AbdulMalik, made this known during a ministerial press briefing organised by the Ministry of Communication. He revealed that despite Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s approval for the recruitment of more doctors, the board has been unable to find qualified candidates willing to work in the state.

> “We have the approval of His Excellency to recruit doctors, but we just can’t find any to employ. Doctors are in very high demand now. If one resigns in the morning, he gets another job by afternoon,” AbdulMalik lamented.


According to him, the state currently has only 99 doctors instead of the 180 to 200 required to meet its healthcare needs. Out of this number, 96 are on the government’s payroll. However, he disclosed that three doctors who had earlier left the service recently returned following an upward review of salaries by Governor AbdulRazaq.

He noted that the shortage is more acute in rural areas, but assured that the state government is working to improve incentives and welfare packages to attract and retain more medical personnel.

To address operational challenges, AbdulMalik said the board is developing a digital application that will allow patients to access real-time information about the availability of doctors across its 45 hospitals. The initiative aims to reduce waiting times and prevent incidents where patients collapse while waiting for medical attention.

In a bid to tackle the long-term shortfall, the government plans to introduce a “bonded scholarship scheme” that will sponsor medical students through school on the condition that they serve the state for a specific period after graduation.

> “We’ve submitted a proposal to His Excellency to sponsor medical students for one or two years. After graduation, they’ll work for the state for the same number of years before moving elsewhere. This will help us gradually close the gap. The plan will take effect in about three to four years since it targets students currently at the 400-level,” AbdulMalik explained.

The state government says it remains committed to strengthening the health sector and ensuring residents have access to quality medical care despite the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals.