Nigeria Ranked Among Riskiest Places for Doctors – Aisha Yesufu

Human rights activist and co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls Movement, Aisha Yesufu, has described Nigeria as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for medical practitioners to live and work.

Yesufu made the remark on Thursday in a post on her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle while reacting to the recent abduction of a medical doctor and his brother in Edo State. The incident, which occurred earlier in January, reportedly ended tragically with the doctor’s brother killed while the physician was released after a ransom of ₦50 million was allegedly paid.

Condemning the development, the activist criticised the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for what she termed its “loud silence” in the face of growing attacks on health workers.

“The silence of the NMA is a deafening betrayal. If an independent study were conducted, it would not be surprising to discover that Nigeria is the most dangerous place for doctors to live and practise,” Yesufu wrote.

She noted that the targeting of doctors by kidnappers and terrorists had become a recurring pattern over the years, lamenting that authorities and citizens alike appeared indifferent to the plight of those entrusted with saving lives.

According to her, the worsening insecurity in the country has left medical professionals exposed and vulnerable, with little or no protection from the state.

Yesufu called on relevant stakeholders to rise to the occasion and address the menace, warning that continued neglect of the safety of health workers would further weaken Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system.