The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, has decried the alarming shortage of medical doctors across government-owned hospitals in the state.

The Oyo State NMA chairman, Happy Adedapo, told journalists in Ibadan on Monday that the situation was appalling and dangerous for effective healthcare delivery.

Mr Adedapo lamented that several general hospitals across Oyo State were operating with only one or two doctors, while some facilities have none at all.

“Out of more than twenty general hospitals reviewed, six hospitals — Okaka, Iresa-Adu, Ikoyi-Ile, Sepeteri, Lanlate, and Ayete — currently have no doctors on ground.

“Others, such as Igbeti, Igboho, Iganna, Iwere-Ile, Iseyin, Ago-Amodu, Ago-Are, Lagun, Eruwa, and Igboora, each have just one doctor managing hundreds of patients.

“A few facilities, including Kisi, Okeho, and Tede, are staffed by two doctors each, while Apata General Hospital in Ibadan stands out with four doctors — the highest number recorded among the general hospitals.

“The Government House Clinic also has one doctor, while the School of Hygiene Clinic operates without any,” he said.

According to Mr Adedapo, in the past, every general hospital in Oyo State used to boast of at least five and seven doctors, unlike now, when some general hospitals don’t even have any doctors currently.

He added that the best one could get now for a general hospital might be one, two or three for those that are fortunate.

“Those ones that have up to three or four will not be up to five hospitals in the entire Oyo State.

“The association calls on the state government to urgently look into it. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, used to boast of about 150 doctors in the past, but now the number of doctors there is not up to 60.

“The reality is that doctors are overworked, burdened, and poorly remunerated. Though recently, Gov. Seyi Makinde paid a working visit to LAUTECH Ogbomosho and made promises which we are hopeful will materialise.

“The government has made some positive pronouncements for the hospital, but we still need to hear more plans for the University part,” he said.

The Oyo State NMA boss further said that medical students at the College of Medicine, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, were on strike currently.

“The students have been at home for close to three months now.

“Moreso, the ‘japa’ scourge is also not helping matters; the government should urgently better the lots of doctors.

“Things like the Medical Residency Training Fund, review of the implementation of the CONMESS, should be looked into.

“The CONMESS is being reviewed at the federal level now; this must also be transmitted to our members in Oyo state. Car loans, housing loans, and proper equipment for healthcare are all needed.

“Government should please do the needful, if not, we will continue to lament the poor healthcare delivery system in Oyo State,” Mr Adedapo stressed.

(NAN)