Nigerian Senate Told 2,000 Young Doctors Stranded Annually Due to Housemanship Slots Shortage

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) informed the Senate that around 2,000 newly qualified medical doctors in Nigeria are left without housemanship placement annually due to the country's centralized system. Dr. Fatimah Kyari, the Registrar of the Council, revealed this during a budget defense session with the Senate Committee on Health in Abuja.

While Nigerian medical schools produce 6,000 doctors yearly, the current centralized housemanship scheme can only absorb 4,000, resulting in a yearly backlog of 2,000 doctors. Dr. Kyari urged lawmakers to support expanding the scheme to include state-owned and private hospitals to reduce delays that often prompt young professionals to seek opportunities abroad.

The MDCN also faces funding constraints, with inadequate releases hampering its regulatory responsibilities. The Senate Committee on Health, led by Sen. Ipailbo Banigo, acknowledged the concerns raised by the MDCN and pledged legislative support to address the funding gap and explore policy options to enhance housemanship opportunities, aiming to strengthen Nigeria's healthcare system and retain medical talent within the country.