Nigeria Has Only 120 Skincare Doctors For 170m Population – Aisha Buhari

The wife of President Muhammed Buhari, has lamented the dearth of trained dermatologists in Nigeria as there were only 120 of them registered to serve a population of 170 million.

Aisha Buhari, who was speaking at the scientific conference and annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists (NAD), in Abuja lamented that it was not acceptable bearing in mind the critical roles they play in safeguarding the health of Nigerians since the skin is the largest organ in the body.

The president of association Dr Bola Ogunbiyi, revealed that there were about 100 – 120 dermatologists in Nigeria, adding that at present, the ratio of one dermatologist is to about 1.5 million Nigerians, which was quite alarming.

Ogunbiyi was quick to add that their numbers was increasing because more persons were showing interest in the field.

The wife of the president who was represented by the wife of the former governor of Bayelsa State, Mrs Alanyingi Sylva, urged the executives of the association to do more and improve their membership strength.

“You need to create more awareness, partner with schools, communities and enlighten people on the dangers of exposing, or neglecting your skin, and how lack of care to your skin can hamper your health,” she said.

According to her, the services of dermatologist was highly needed in the internal displaced persons camp. “ We need you now more than ever, especially in the IDPs camps, where I am doing some work to improve the lives of women and children, because the way they are living is quite sympathetic,” she added.

Earlier the chairman of occasion, Dr Sani Gwarzo advised the association to be more creative in solving the problems of its members by employing mechanism that will also lower cadre in the profession.

He also added that the association must be more vigilant and fish out quacks who have no training but have dominated the profession and assume the positions of dermatologist.

The guest speaker at the event, Professor Olaniyi Olayemi giving a lecture theme, “cutaneous manifestations of internal diseases”, noted that diagnosis and investigations were critical in treating skin disorders.