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Guild of Medical Directors Warns of Crisis as Over 50% of Nigeria’s Private Hospitals Close Amid Rising Costs
The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) has raised concerns over the financial challenges crippling Nigeria’s private healthcare sector, revealing that over half of the country’s private hospitals have shut down, while those still operating are struggling to survive.
Dr. Raymond Kuti, President of the GMD, disclosed in an interview that monthly closures of private hospitals are accelerating due to escalating costs of essentials like electricity and medical supplies, pushing many to the brink.
“On average, three out of six private hospitals are shutting down monthly,” Dr. Kuti stated, noting that operational costs for energy and imported medical supplies have increased by as much as 500%.
This economic strain has hit Band A hospitals particularly hard. He also cited a decline in patient patronage and the “japa” trend, which has led to severe staffing shortages as young healthcare professionals leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad.
The cost barrier has forced many Nigerians to delay necessary medical treatment, with some resorting to self-medication or local remedies due to financial constraints.
Dr. Kuti, who also serves as the Chief Medical Director at Prisms Health Care Limited, urged the government to intervene and support private healthcare facilities, emphasizing their critical role in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“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 said.
Nigerian news analyst, Mahmud Jega, has shared his opinion on the recent airstrike carried out by the United States in Nigeria, stating that Nigerians should not blame President Bola Tinubu for the incident.
Jega made this statement during a recent interview, where he said he does not believe many people will hold the Tinubu administration responsible, as Donald Trump had issued threats against Nigeria long before Tinubu’s administration.
“No, I don’t think many people will blame the Tinubu administration for what is happening now because President Donald Trump, when he first made the threats, it was clearly not in coordination with the Tinubu administration or the government of Nigeria,” Jega said.
It has been reported that the United States carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS in the northwest region of Nigeria. The order was reportedly given by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist elements in northwest Nigeria,” Trump said.
He added, “I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared the holiday dates for the festive season.
Thursday, December 25 will be observed as Christmas Day, December 26 as Boxing Day, and Thursday, January 1 as New Year’s Day.
The declaration was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani. He also added that Nigerians should celebrate the holidays in faith and pray for the nation.
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