Nigeria’s Private Healthcare Sector in Crisis as Over Half of Private Hospitals Shut Down, Guild of Medical Directors Warns

 

The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) has raised serious concerns about the increasing financial pressure on Nigeria’s private healthcare sector, revealing that more than half of private hospitals in the country have shut down. Those still operating are struggling to stay open amid rising operational costs.

Dr. Raymond Kuti, President of the GMD, explained in an interview that many hospitals face escalating expenses for essentials like electricity and medical supplies, bringing them to the edge of closure. “On average, three out of six private hospitals shut down each month in Nigeria, mainly due to the challenging economic environment,” Dr. Kuti stated. He noted that energy costs and imported medical supplies have surged by as much as 500%, heavily affecting Band A hospitals.

Dr. Kuti, who also serves as the Chief Medical Director at Prisms Health Care Limited, told Punch that a decrease in patient visits and the “japa” phenomenon—where young healthcare professionals leave Nigeria for better opportunities abroad—has worsened the situation. These factors have caused severe staff shortages and led many patients to delay seeking treatment, with some turning to self-medication or traditional remedies due to financial constraints.

Calling for urgent government intervention, Dr. Kuti stressed the importance of support to sustain private healthcare facilities. “The government must recognize the challenges we are facing and offer the necessary support to keep private hospitals running and serving communities,” he urged, highlighting the critical role these institutions play in Nigeria’s healthcare system.