Japa: Our hospitals may soon be empty, CMDs cry out
Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of teaching hospitals across Nigeria have raised concerns over the increasing brain drain in the health sector, as medical professionals continue to leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
The CMDs voiced their concerns during a budget defense session before the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Institutions, chaired by Hon. Patrick Umoh.
The session, which involved heads of Federal Medical Centres and university teaching hospitals, focused on the review of their 2024 budget performance and proposals for 2025.
Despite the federal government’s investments in health infrastructure, the CMDs warned that tertiary hospitals risk being depleted of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers due to poor remuneration and lack of incentives.
Among the attendees were the CMD of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Prof. Emem Bassey; CMD of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo; and CMD of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Abiodun, among others.
Prof. Emem Bassey disclosed that UUTH returned N1,056,034,392.80 to the federal government in 2024 due to staff shortages. The amount, originally allocated for salaries, could not be utilized because of unfilled vacancies resulting from staff resignations.
“For 2024, our total capital appropriation was N20,617,154,692.56, broken down into personnel costs of N12,874,350,949.56, overhead of N240,186,681.00 (about N20 million monthly), and capital expenses of N7,502,617,062.00. Personnel releases totaled N11,818,316,556.72, leaving a balance of N1,056,034,392.80, which was mopped up by December 31 due to unfulfilled recruitment,” Bassey explained.
He further noted that UUTH achieved 99.99% release of overhead funds but faced delays in implementing a radio diagnostics center project due to bureaucratic bottlenecks at the Federal Executive Council.
For 2025, UUTH has proposed a total personnel budget of N19.93 billion, overhead costs of N482 million (approximately N40 million monthly), and a capital budget of N21 billion.
Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo of LUTH emphasized the urgent need to improve remuneration for health workers to curb the brain drain, warning that Nigerian hospitals could soon be empty if the trend continues.
“The primary reason workers are leaving is economic. We witness resignations every day. If this continues unchecked, our hospitals may become empty in the next one or two years.
While the government invests in infrastructure, hospitals remain empty due to the lack of staff,” Adeyemo said.
LUTH’s 2024 budget of N19.2 billion included N13.57 billion for personnel and N33.2 million for overhead.
Adeyemo reported 100% overhead utilization and 91% personnel performance but noted that capital project performance stood at only 45%, with significant outstanding releases.
For 2025, LUTH proposed a budget of N32.7 billion, including N20.3 billion for personnel, representing a notable increase from the previous year.
Prof. Jesse Abiodun of UCH expressed frustration over delayed fund releases, which he said had hampered operations. He disclosed that only 38% of the hospital’s N5.59 billion capital appropriation for 2024 had been released, leaving a balance of 72%.
“Payments only began in December. We were able to utilize the 38% because we had already prepared a cash plan. For 2025, we are proposing N4.39 billion for capital, slightly lower than 2024, as we had to adjust to the envelope system,” Abiodun stated.
He added that UCH’s overhead budget proposal for 2025 is N690 million, reflecting an increase due to rising electricity bills from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Patrick Umoh, described the situation in tertiary health institutions as precarious.
He emphasised the need for fiscal responsibility and pledged the committee’s commitment to ensuring that allocated funds are properly utilized.
While the committee could not address all institutions during the session, it resolved to collect written submissions for further review. Members later convened a closed-door session for additional deliberations.
