Daniel Ayantoye
At least 50 per cent of private hospitals operating in the country have shut down due to economic hardship, while existing ones are struggling to survive the high cost of operation.
The Guild of Medical Directors raised the alarm that healthcare providers were grappling with increasing financial burdens which was threatening the sustainability of many facilities across the country.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, President of the GMD, Dr Raymond Kuti, stated that private hospitals were struggling to meet their operational expenses, particularly in areas such as electricity and medical supplies.
Kuti lamented that the decline in patient patronage has exacerbated an already dire situation, leaving many hospitals on the brink of collapse.
“Averagely, three out of six private hospitals are shutting down every month in Nigeria, and this trend is primarily driven by the challenging economic environment,” Kuti explained.
He noted that the running costs for hospitals had escalated significantly, particularly for those classified as Band A facilities, which now spend more on energy compared to previous years.
Kuti, who doubles as the Chief Medical Director at Prisms Health Care Limited, added that majority of medical consumables used in hospitals were imported, noting that the current exchange rate has made the items expensive.
“The cost of consumables has increased by a staggering 500 percent,” he stated,
According to him, the matter is compounded by a workforce crisis, as many young healthcare professionals were choosing to leave the country in search of better opportunities, a phenomenon popularly referred to as “japa.”
This exodus has resulted in significant staff shortages, making it even more challenging for the remaining hospitals to provide adequate care.
Kuti also stressed that there was a troubling trend in patient behaviour as many people were hesitant to seek medical treatment and often resorted to self-medication or local remedies before considering a visit to the hospital due to the economic downturn.
“People are struggling to afford healthcare, which leads to a delay in seeking necessary medical attention,” he said.
To address the issues, he called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He emphasised the urgent need for government intervention to support the private hospital sector, which plays a crucial role in providing medical services to a significant portion of the population.
“We need the government to recognise the challenges we face and provide the necessary support to ensure that private hospitals can continue to operate and serve the community,” he urged.
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