Akwa Ibom NMA Raises Alarm Over Medical Personnel Shortage, Seeks 7 Training Institutions

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State chapter, has raised the alarm over the acute shortage of medical personnel in the state’s health institutions, urging the Akwa Ibom State Government to establish at least seven medical training institutions to address the worsening manpower deficit and strengthen healthcare delivery.

Speaking at a press briefing in Uyo during activities marking the association’s Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, the outgoing State Chairman of the NMA, Prof. Aniekan Peter, said inadequate staffing remained the biggest challenge confronting the state’s healthcare system despite the recent recruitment of 2,000 health workers.

While commending Governor Umo Eno for personnel recruitment and infrastructure reforms in the health sector, Prof. Peter said more investment was urgently needed to reposition the sector for optimal performance.

He urged the government to establish additional medical schools and convert some existing tertiary institutions into medical colleges to boost the production of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

According to him, expanding medical education would not only strengthen the healthcare workforce but also create employment opportunities for young Nigerians aspiring to careers in medicine and allied health professions.

Prof. Peter lamented that the state had repeatedly struggled to fill approved vacancies for medical workers, underscoring the need for urgent policy intervention.

“If there are vacancies for 100,000 teachers in the state, they can easily be filled. But recently Governor Umo Eno approved the employment of 400 doctors, and we could not get enough qualified applicants. That means something is fundamentally wrong.

“We were initially looking for 700 nurses and still could not get the required number until some of the recruitment criteria were relaxed. It is time for us to refocus our priorities, and that is why this year’s AGM is focused on the future of healthcare in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

Prof. Peter urged the government to begin treating medical education as a strategic investment rather than a burden.

While applauding Governor Eno for approving a medical school at Akwa Ibom State University, he said one institution was insufficient for a state of Akwa Ibom’s size and population, noting that Delta State already has four medical training institutions.

“We appreciate the governor for approving the medical school at Akwa Ibom State University, but one medical school is not enough. Medicine is no longer just a course; it is empowerment. If Akwa Ibom wants to become a leading state in healthcare, it must establish at least seven medical schools so that qualified students can study medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and other health-related courses,” he said.

He added that existing facilities, including the General Hospitals in Ikot Ekpene and Eket, as well as the Ibom Specialist Hospital, could be upgraded into medical training institutions.

According to him, expanding the state’s medical education infrastructure remains the most sustainable solution to the growing shortage of healthcare professionals and the long-term improvement of healthcare delivery.

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State chapter, has raised concerns over the acute shortage of medical professionals in the state’s health institutions, warning that the manpower deficit is undermining effective healthcare delivery.

The association, however, commended Governor Umo Eno for ongoing personnel recruitment and infrastructure reforms in the health sector, saying more investment is urgently needed to reposition the sector for optimal performance.

Speaking at a press briefing in Uyo during activities marking the association’s Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, the outgoing State Chairman of the NMA, Prof. Aniekan Peter, described inadequate staffing as the greatest challenge confronting the state’s healthcare system despite the recent recruitment of 2,000 health workers.

He urged the state government to establish at least seven medical training institutions and convert some existing tertiary institutions into medical colleges to tackle the persistent shortage of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

According to him, expanding medical education would not only strengthen the healthcare workforce but also create employment opportunities for young Nigerians aspiring to careers in the medical profession.

Prof. Peter lamented that Akwa Ibom had repeatedly struggled to fill approved vacancies for medical workers, underscoring the need for urgent policy intervention.

“If there are vacancies for 100,000 teachers in the state, they can easily be filled. But recently Governor Umo Eno approved the employment of 400 doctors, and we could not get enough qualified applicants. That means something is fundamentally wrong.

“We were initially looking for 700 nurses and still could not get the required number until some of the recruitment criteria were relaxed. It is time for us to refocus our priorities, and that is why this year’s AGM is focused on the future of healthcare in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

Prof. Peter urged the government to begin treating medical education as a strategic investment rather than a burden.

While applauding Governor Eno for approving a medical school at Akwa Ibom State University, he said one institution was insufficient for a state of Akwa Ibom’s size and population, noting that Delta State already has four medical training institutions.

“We appreciate the governor for approving the medical school at Akwa Ibom State University, but one medical school is not enough. Medicine is no longer just a course; it is empowerment. If Akwa Ibom wants to become a leading state in healthcare, it must establish at least seven medical schools so that qualified students can study medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and other health-related courses,” he said.

He added that existing facilities, including the General Hospitals in Ikot Ekpene and Eket, as well as the Ibom Specialist Hospital, could be upgraded into medical training institutions.

According to him, expanding the state’s medical education infrastructure remains the most sustainable solution to the growing shortage of healthcare professionals and the long-term improvement of healthcare delivery.