We produce up to 2,000 or 3,000 doctors every year, those leaving less than 1,000-Minister, Ehanire

According to Nigeria's Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, there are actually enough medical professionals in the country.

He claimed that any medical professional who leaves the country and resigns will be replaced by the federal government.

Ehanire, who made the claim on Tuesday in Abuja at a press conference, also claimed that fewer than 1,000 doctors were leaving Nigeria.

He claimed that there was no ban on hiring physicians and other medical professionals in Nigeria.

There is no ban on hiring doctors; we do so when there is a need. But there are procedures before doctors are hired because of a Civil Service policy.

We've heard complaints about doctors leaving the system, but there are actually enough doctors in the system because the nation produces up to 2,000 or 3,000 doctors year, and the number of doctors departing is fewer than 1,000.

Just that the hiring procedure needs to be made easier.

So, if we have one replacement, you won't likely experience a scarcity, Ehanire continued.

"However, that has been resolved because the Head of Service learned from past experiences that when one person leaves, others often take three, even though they may not be necessary.

"We want to implement this strategy in order to lessen shortages and get staff back in our facilities.