The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State chapter, has called for the establishment of at least seven medical schools to address the growing shortage of doctors and other healthcare professionals in the state.
The association said expanding medical education is the only sustainable way to close the widening workforce gap and strengthen healthcare delivery.
NMA raises alarm over doctor shortage
The Akwa Ibom NMA Chairman, Prof. Aniekan Peter, spoke on Tuesday in Uyo during a media briefing ahead of the association’s Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference.
He said the shortage of medical personnel has made it difficult for the state to fill available vacancies. Peter cited the recent recruitment exercise approved by Governor Umo Eno as an example.
“Recently the State governor, Umo Eno approved employment for 400 doctors and we couldn’t get them. It means that there’s something wrong somewhere.”
He also recalled that the state initially struggled to recruit 700 nurses. According to him, officials only met the target after relaxing some of the recruitment requirements.
Medical education is the solution
Peter urged the state government to invest more in medical education instead of treating it as a burden. While commending Governor Eno for approving a medical school at Akwa Ibom State University, he said one institution is not enough.
He noted that some states already operate several medical training institutions.
“We must have at least seven medical schools in this state.”
Peter explained that increasing the number of medical schools would produce more doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals.
Existing hospitals can support training
The NMA chairman said Akwa Ibom already has facilities that can serve as medical training centres. He identified the General Hospitals in Ikot Ekpene and Eket as possible locations. He also listed the Ibom Specialist Hospital as another facility that could support medical education.
According to him, upgrading the hospitals would improve healthcare training and reduce the shortage of medical workers in the state.
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