Health care: It is One doctor per 30,000 Patients in Kano — Medical practitioners

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The National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners has raised concern over the current doctor to patient ratio in Kano State, threatening to embark on strike from October 1.

The secretary of the association in Kano, Dr. Anas Idris Hassan, made this known while addressing newsmen on Saturday.

He stated that despite reaching an agreement with the Kano State Government months in June, their demands are yet to be met.

Hassan said the government has not addressed the issue of hazard allowance, specifically the post COVID-19 allowance, which has been paid by the federal government since 2021 but yet to be received by Kano doctors.

He further mentioned that newly employed medical doctors, who were hired by the Kano State Government in September 2023, have not been paid their salaries.

The medical practitioner also expressed concern over the dilapidated state of Kano hospitals and the lack of necessary equipment, stressing the urgent need to address these issues.

He highlighted the critical doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano, which is significantly lower than the World Health Organization’s standard.

He noted that there are an estimated 20 million people in Kano, served by only 600 doctors, resulting in a ratio of one doctor to 33,000 patients.