A medical expert , Prof . Abdulkadir Tabari, has called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to make Nigeria ’s medical residency programme relevant and visible in the global mix.
Tabari, who is the Chief Medical Director of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna , made the call in an address at the 39th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the National Association of Resident Doctors on Thursday in Kaduna .
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the theme of the conference was, ‘ Human Resource Challenges of Residency Training : Nigerian situation in the Global mix. ’
Tabari said it was important to strengthen the residency programme in order to bridge existing huge gap in doctor – patient ratio in the country .
According to him , a study by WHO published by
Spectator Index on January 13 shows that Nigeria produces 0 .37 doctors per 1 , 000 people.
“ According to MDCN as at 2018, there are about 72,000 nationally registered Nigerian doctors , with only about 35, 000 practising in Nigeria .
“ This means that there is about one doctor to every 5 , 700 Nigerians — far below the WHO standard of one doctor to 600 people. ”
Tabari said the country needs about 290, 000 doctors to fill the deficit to attain the WHO standard.
He however noted that Residency programme has recorded some important milestones over the years in spite of numerous challenges .
(NAN )
