As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, Nigerian doctors have called on politicians seeking public office to prioritise healthcare reforms and present clear plans for fixing the country’s struggling health sector.
The medical professionals said candidates contesting for presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state legislative positions must include detailed healthcare policies in their manifestos, stressing that healthcare should become one of the defining issues of the 2027 elections.
According to the doctors, politicians must move beyond vague campaign promises and provide measurable, time-bound commitments that Nigerians can track if elected into office.
The call comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s deteriorating healthcare system, which continues to face poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of medical equipment, and low welfare packages for healthcare workers.
The situation has also fueled massive brain drain in the sector, with over 16,000 Nigerian doctors reportedly leaving the country in the last seven years in search of better opportunities abroad.
According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, Nigeria currently has only about 55,000 doctors left, with a doctor-to-patient ratio of 3.9 per 10,000 people.
Other healthcare workers, including nurses, physiotherapists, and laboratory scientists, have also continued to relocate to countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Afekhide Omoti, said increased funding for healthcare, improved welfare for medical workers, and stronger investment in primary healthcare centres must top the agenda of political office seekers.
He warned that years of neglect in the sector have weakened healthcare delivery nationwide.
“Healthcare should be one of the defining issues of the 2027 elections, not an afterthought buried under vague promises,” Omoti said.
“Every serious political manifesto should contain clear, measurable, and time-bound commitments for rebuilding Nigeria’s health system.”
The NMA president also demanded concrete policies aimed at tackling brain drain, expanding health insurance coverage, modernising public hospitals, and improving maternal and child healthcare.
He further called for stronger investments in local pharmaceutical production, emergency disease response systems, healthcare digitisation, mental health services, and better protection for healthcare workers.
Omoti stressed that political leaders must also commit to ending medical tourism among public officials and instead focus on rebuilding confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
His comments come amid concerns over rising foreign exchange spending on medical trips abroad. Reports show that Nigerians spent over $549 million on foreign medical treatment within the first nine months of 2025.
The NMA president said the association plans to become more active in shaping national healthcare policies and ensuring accountability from political leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The challenges facing Nigerian doctors and patients are too serious for business as usual,” he stated. “The NMA must become a permanent voice in national development discussions.”
