The Kwara State Government has responded to a media report claiming that the state is facing a severe shortage of doctors, insisting that while challenges exist, the healthcare system is far from collapsing and has instead undergone significant reforms since 2019.
The clarification follows an article published in THISDAY alleging a doctor-to-patient ratio of about 1 to 12,000 in Kwara State, which the government described as misleading and not reflective of current realities in the state’s health sector.
According to the Ministry of Health, the administration has implemented wide-ranging improvements across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities, including the renovation of nearly 200 Primary Health Centres across all 16 local government areas, alongside additional upgrades funded through state and federal health programmes.
The government also highlighted major institutional reforms, including the conversion of the General Hospital Ilorin into the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), which has received accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for medical training.
It further noted partnerships with private universities to upgrade other state hospitals into teaching hospitals, a move it says is aimed at expanding medical training capacity and improving healthcare delivery.
On concerns about service disruptions, particularly Caesarean section procedures, the government said there was no evidence of prolonged suspension of critical medical services at KWASUTH, adding that surgical operations have remained active and increasing.
Official figures released by the state show that the hospital recorded 116 Caesarean sections in January and 151 in February, alongside hundreds of other surgical procedures, which the government says contradict claims of service collapse.
The statement also emphasized that the hospital is equipped with backup power systems, water facilities, and ongoing infrastructure upgrades to ensure continuous operations.
In addressing staffing concerns, the government acknowledged that manpower shortages are a national issue but stated that it has continued recruitment across multiple health cadres, including doctors, nurses, and allied professionals, with over 1,000 health workers recruited into primary healthcare in 2025.
It added that salary structures have been improved to match federal standards, alongside incentives such as training support and residency funding to retain medical personnel.
The government also pointed to ongoing investments in diagnostic equipment, including a newly acquired MRI machine at KWASUTH and rehabilitation of other diagnostic facilities to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Through the state health insurance scheme, officials say thousands of residents now have access to more affordable healthcare, with plans to expand coverage further in the coming months.
While acknowledging broader challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare system, the government maintained that progress in Kwara is measurable and ongoing, describing claims of systemic collapse as inaccurate and lacking full context.
