A Nigerian medical professional has raised concerns over what he describes as extremely difficult working conditions in the country’s healthcare system, highlighting issues ranging from long working hours to inadequate infrastructure and poor welfare.
In a personal account that has since gained attention online, the doctor described working continuous 24-hour shifts for up to nine months, with little or no institutional support. He alleged that many healthcare workers face irregular salaries, unpaid allowances, and non-remittance of pension contributions, despite long-term service.
He further claimed that junior medical staff who raise concerns are often dismissed or labelled as “untrainable” or disruptive, with senior colleagues allegedly discouraging complaints by insisting that dissatisfied workers should resign.
The account also highlighted severe infrastructural challenges in hospitals, including frequent power outages during critical procedures. According to the narrative, some emergency surgeries are conducted under improvised lighting conditions, raising concerns about patient safety and systemic preparedness.
The healthcare worker also alleged that repeated system failures have contributed to preventable patient deaths, adding that many professionals are forced to lower clinical standards due to lack of basic equipment and support.
He noted that frustration within the sector has led some professionals to seek opportunities abroad, though such decisions are sometimes met with criticism and accusations of lacking patriotism.
The statement concludes with a call for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system, reflecting growing concerns among medical workers about burnout, infrastructure gaps, and workforce retention in the country’s public health sector.
