A recent interview with medical staff at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) reveals concerning resource and staffing shortages that negatively impact patient care and healthcare worker retention.
While LASUTH maintains their required 3 nurses and doctors per inpatient ward, a staff reports that “even when the
number of outpatients varies on appointment days the wait times are usually long in outpatient areas due to insufficient staffing.”
Inadequate Staffing Levels and Resource Mismanagement
Essential equipment breaks down frequently from overuse and sharing between wards, while newer tools sit unused in storage.
As one nurse explained, “Overuse of tools occurs every time due to constant sharing within ward A&B of the same unit.”
Critical medication shortages, though rare, require desperate measures like personal purchases or donations from other patients. “It rarely occurs, and we can always get those common drugs from pharmacies around the hospitals,” a doctor reported.
These challenges take a toll on staff wellbeing and morale. One nurse confessed, they’ve considered resigning due to work overload exacerbated by shortages in their ward.
Others expressed frustration over the mismanaged distribution of supplies, noting that “the right equipment to provide quality care is usually hoarded in some unit’s stores which makes it more difficult to perform procedures in a standard way.”
The Challenge of doctors and nurses leaving the country
Though recruitment efforts persist, the rate of healthcare worker emigration continues to climb. Without intervention, LASUTH faces severe staff and resource crises.
Inadequate salaries and benefits also impact retention of qualified personnel. While hospital leadership makes some attempts to address shortfalls, staff feel more could be done.
Suggestions include improving stocking of new equipment, additional funding, re-evaluation of policies around resource allocation, and partnerships with private hospitals. However, solutions likely need to address root causes like insufficient healthcare budgets and poor facility management.
LASUTH’s staffing and supply challenges reflect wider healthcare system issues in Lagos. Yet it is the patients who ultimately suffer the most from crowded wards, treatment delays, and overburdened workers.
In the new year, investing in the resources, compensation, and wellbeing of frontline healthcare workers can significantly improve care at this critical public institution.
Conclusion
In 2024, strengthening LASUTH will require commitment and creative solutions from hospital leadership as well as state policymakers.
By being open, responsive, and cooperative, the system can move forward. The health of millions of Nigerians depends on it. Progress is possible if everyone plays their part.
