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The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) has raised concerns that private hospitals across Nigeria are shutting down due to the ongoing economic crisis and cannot afford to pay the new minimum wage.
According to Dr Odia Festus Ihongbe, the chairman of ANPMP, the challenging economic situation has led many Nigerians to turn to self-medication, often resulting in organ failure and even death.
In an interview with DAILY POST, he explained that while hospital beds remain mostly empty, mortuaries are filling up with bodies. “Patients only come when it’s critical, expecting miracles from us,” he remarked, adding that some even prefer to pass away in the hospital to avoid family conflicts.
Dr Odia noted that many Nigerians now rely on internet searches to diagnose their symptoms and buy medications from chemists until their condition becomes dire.
“Sometimes, we have to issue death certificates without admitting them because otherwise, families might abandon the body and leave,” he said.
The recent increase in Nigeria’s minimum wage to N70,000 poses another challenge for private hospitals. Dr. Odia explained, “How can private hospitals afford this wage? We employ 80% of the healthcare workforce, and with just a few support staff, costs are unsustainable.”
He criticized the government for failing to support the private sector, which provides 80% of the nation’s healthcare services, saying that the government offers “lip service” instead of meaningful assistance.
Dr Odia further highlighted the steep increase in costs for essential drugs and equipment due to the forex crisis. “Items that cost N25,000 years ago now exceed N1.5 million.
Even oxygen machines are unaffordable,” he lamented. Banks, he added, are reluctant to lend to hospitals, viewing them as risky investments.
He argued that effective healthcare in Nigeria relies on a robust national health insurance system, which has struggled for over two decades, covering only a small percentage of the population.
Recent minor premium increases are insufficient, he said, stating that “N700 per month won’t cover treatment costs.” Due to ongoing issues with timely insurance payments,
Dr. Odia warned that private hospitals might stop offering services by December if the situation doesn’t improve.
Dr. Odia expressed alarm over the increasing rate of deaths in Nigeria and the skyrocketing cost of basic medical supplies, such as paracetamol and syringes, which have seen price hikes from N250 to N7,000.
He stressed that an effective health insurance system could help hospitals manage these rising costs and fulfil the minimum wage requirements.