Taraba’s healthcare system faces doctor shortages and inadequate infrastructure.

Residents of Taraba state are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain quality care in public hospitals.

Across several general hospitals, a shortage of qualified staff and deteriorating infrastructure are raising alarms among patients and health experts, who warn that the situation could worsen without urgent intervention.

Our investigations show that many facilities are struggling to meet rising patient demands amid inadequate staffing and poor medical infrastructure.

Interviewees described a strained system where patients face long waits, delayed procedures and limited specialist access.

Yerima Ato of Wukari Local Government Council said the Wukari General Hospital lacks enough doctors to serve patients adequately.

He added that authorities have been hiring doctors from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo to cover the shortfall.

“To my knowledge, doctors are being hired from the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, to cover up for the shortage of doctors in the general hospitals,” Ato said.

He recounted a personal experience in which a scheduled surgery was delayed because the required medical personnel were unavailable at the hospital.

“There was a time I was scheduled for surgery at the general hospital, but I had to wait for the doctors to come from the FMC. So, the same doctors you find at the FMC are the ones you find in the general hospitals,” he said.

For many, the situation raises concerns about the public hospitals’ ability to deliver timely and efficient care, especially in emergencies where delays could be life‑threatening.

Hajara Thomas, another resident, said hospitals in Takum, Ussa, Gassol, Gashaka, Bali and other local government areas face similar difficulties.

She noted that many communities rely heavily on general hospitals and primary health centres, making the shortage of doctors and other health workers a major issue.

She urged the state government to launch aggressive recruitment of doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and other health workers to close existing gaps in service delivery.

“Our hospitals need more qualified personnel. People in rural communities deserve quality healthcare just like those living in urban centres,” she said.

Beyond manpower shortages, stakeholders have highlighted poor infrastructure as a major obstacle to effective care.

A resident of Lau Local Government Council, who also criticised the condition of the council’s only government hospital, said that despite the presence of politicians, accessing healthcare has become cumbersome because of a dilapidated structure and a lack of medical personnel.

Health expert John Mayo noted that many public hospitals operate in aging buildings with inadequate facilities and obsolete equipment.

He said the poor state of infrastructure not only hampers patient care but also deters health workers from accepting postings at some facilities.

“When healthcare facilities are poorly maintained and lack essential equipment, it becomes difficult for medical personnel to perform optimally. This ultimately affects the quality of service patients receive,” Mayo explained.

He stressed the need for government investment in hospital rehabilitation, modern medical equipment and improved working conditions for health professionals.

Analysts say the challenges facing Taraba’s health sector mirror a broader national problem, where many states struggle with a shortage of health workers due to migration, retirement and inadequate recruitment.

The situation is compounded by increasing demand for health services, population growth and limited funding for public health institutions.

Experts argue that strengthening primary health centres, improving welfare packages for medical personnel and investing in modern infrastructure could significantly improve health outcomes in the state.

For residents, the concern is immediate and personal. Many fear that unless urgent action is taken, access to quality healthcare will remain beyond the reach of thousands who depend on public hospitals for treatment.

They are urging the Taraba state government and relevant stakeholders to prioritise healthcare reforms, recruit additional medical personnel and upgrade hospital infrastructure to ensure efficient and accessible services across the state.

The state government has yet to respond to this development, even after our reporters’ efforts to obtain an official reaction failed.