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400,000 health workers insufficient for Nigeria – Minister

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate has said that about 400,000 health workers in Nigeria are insufficient to cater to the healthcare needs of Nigerians.

Pate made the statement while addressing newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, after his three-day briefing session with departments and agencies under the ministry.

The meeting was organised by the ministry to chart a blueprint for Nigeria’s healthcare system.

According to Pate, the 400,000 workforce comprise community health workers, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physicians, lab scientists, technicians, and auxiliaries working in the Nigerian healthcare system.

“They are not enough if you think that this number can take care of 220 million people. Our doctor-to-population ratio is lower than what the World Health Organisation expects.

“So if we think about it, we can produce for our own needs and if some leave then they go and earn resources and they come back with some experience, ” he said

Pate, however, said that if infrastructure is improved, and people are treated with respect, some of them would come back to serve the country.

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