Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening ear, nose, and throat (ENT) healthcare services across Nigeria, amid growing concerns over hearing loss and a critical shortage of specialised medical personnel in the sector.
Shettima made this known on Thursday evening while receiving a delegation from the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON), led by its President, Dr. Aliyu Mohammed Kodiya, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Addressing the delegation, the Vice President underscored the urgent need to overhaul Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in the area of ENT services, to curb the escalating cases of hearing impairment nationwide.
“A significant portion of our population suffers from hearing-related ailments, yet due to social stigmatisation and limited access to specialists, many do not seek treatment. The challenges you’ve raised are real, and the government is committed to addressing them beyond superficial interventions,” Shettima stated in a release signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).
Nigeria Faces ENT Specialist Shortage Amid Medical Brain Drain
Senator Shettima expressed concern over the dwindling number of ENT specialists in the country, warning that without decisive action, Nigeria may have fewer than 500 ENT surgeons to serve its over 200 million citizens.
“That is the stark reality we face today. Many of our young doctors are migrating abroad, but we are actively working to build an environment that encourages them to stay and serve here at home,” he noted.
He emphasised that the Federal Government’s support would extend beyond procuring medical equipment to include the training, welfare, and retention of healthcare professionals in the ENT field.
“The issue isn’t only about equipment. It’s about ensuring we have the trained manpower to operate them effectively,” Shettima added, urging ORLSON to continue investing in capacity building for the next generation of ENT specialists.
VP Shettima Named ‘Ambassador of ENT Care’ by ORLSON
In recognition of his advocacy and support for the sector, ORLSON conferred Vice President Shettima with the honorary title of Ambassador of the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria.
Earlier, ORLSON President Dr. Kodiya presented sobering statistics on the global and national burden of hearing loss, describing it as an urgent public health crisis. He cited World Health Organization (WHO) projections indicating that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide will experience some degree of hearing loss, with over 700 million needing rehabilitation.
“This condition is estimated to cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually due to lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and social exclusion,” Kodiya said.
He also lamented the expiration of Nigeria’s National Policy and Strategic Plan for Ear and Hearing Care (2019–2023) without full implementation, calling it a missed opportunity to establish a sustainable framework for hearing health services.
Despite this, Dr. Kodiya reaffirmed ORLSON’s readiness to collaborate with the government, private sector, and international stakeholders to expand access to quality ENT services and reduce the burden of hearing loss across Nigeria.
