Amid the ongoing economic hardship, no fewer than 50 percent of private hospitals in the country have shut down, while those still operating are struggling to survive the high cost of operations.
The Guild of Medical Directors raised the alarm that healthcare providers were grappling with increasing financial burdens which was threatening the sustainability of many facilities across the country.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, President of the GMD, Dr Raymond Kuti, stated that private hospitals were struggling to meet their operational expenses, particularly in areas such as electricity and medical supplies.
Kuti lamented that the decline in patient patronage has exacerbated an already dire situation, leaving many hospitals on the brink of collapse.
“Averagely, three out of six private hospitals are shutting down every month in Nigeria, and this trend is primarily driven by the challenging economic environment,” Kuti explained.
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He noted that the running costs for hospitals had escalated significantly, particularly for those classified as Band A facilities, which now spend more on energy compared to previous years.
“The cost of consumables has increased by a staggering 500 percent,” he stated,
According to him, the matter is compounded by a workforce crisis, as many young healthcare professionals were choosing to leave the country in search of better opportunities, a phenomenon popularly referred to as “japa.”
“We need the government to recognise the challenges we face and provide the necessary support to ensure that private hospitals can continue to operate and serve the community,” he urged.
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