The Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening maternal health crisis, revealing that the country currently has only about 2,200 registered obstetricians and gynaecologists serving a population of over 240 million people and about seven million births annually.
In an exclusive interview, SOGON’s Second Vice President, Christopher Aimakhu, described the number of specialists as “grossly inadequate,” warning that Nigeria requires at least 7,000 practising obstetricians and gynaecologists to meet basic maternal healthcare needs.
Rural Areas Hit Hardest
Aimakhu noted that most specialists are concentrated in major urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu, leaving rural states critically underserved.
“In a place like Kebbi State, there are about 10 gynaecologists. In Niger State, maybe 10 to 15. That is too small for states of that size,” he said.
He added that insecurity—including kidnappings—has forced many doctors to flee rural areas. In Zamfara State alone, he said at least five gynaecologists have relocated after security threats, including a colleague who was reportedly kidnapped for four weeks.
As a result, rural communities account for 43 per cent of maternal mortality cases, with estimates ranging between 500 and 800 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Nigeria’s Alarming Maternal Death Toll
Nigeria currently ranks third globally in maternal mortality and contributes 34 per cent of global maternal deaths. The World Bank estimates the country’s maternal mortality ratio at 993 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023—far above the Sustainable Development Goal target of 70 per 100,000 by 2030.
The crisis is compounded by a sharp decline in the number of gynaecologists. While about 9,000 were recorded in 2023, new SOGON figures suggest a 75.6 per cent drop, largely due to migration and unregistered practitioners.
‘Japa’ Wave Worsens Healthcare Crisis
The broader medical workforce is also shrinking. According to the Nigerian Medical Association, Nigeria now has between 30,000 and 40,000 practising doctors—far below the estimated 300,000 required.
NMA President, Bala Audu, previously noted that Nigerian doctors are actively recruited by countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Dubai due to their high level of training and competence.
With an estimated doctor-patient ratio of 1:8,000, overstretched hospitals, long antenatal queues, and understaffed labour wards have become the norm.
Midwifery System Overwhelmed
The shortage extends beyond doctors. Nigeria has fewer than 200,000 midwives for a population exceeding 217 million.
Based on World Health Organization standards of 44.5 midwives per 10,000 people, the country requires approximately 700,000 additional nurses and midwives to meet global benchmarks.
In practical terms, experts warn that the shortage means delayed interventions during childbirth—delays that can cost lives.
Aimakhu cautioned that without urgent intervention to improve security, remuneration, and healthcare infrastructure, Nigeria risks falling further behind in efforts to reduce maternal mortality and safeguard the lives of women and newborns nationwide.
