Dr. Anumiri Chidozie Pascal, a Nigerian medical doctor and founder of Pandacare, a healthcare delivery platform, has pledged not to follow the trend of his colleagues leaving Nigeria for better opportunities, despite the challenges within the country’s healthcare system. His stance comes in the face of a growing migration of medical professionals, with over 50 doctors leaving Nigeria each week in search of better working conditions abroad. Dr. Chidozie's decision to stay is fueled by a deep commitment to improve Nigeria’s healthcare sector, which he believes is facing a dire crisis.
Speaking on a program at Max FM Abuja, Dr. Chidozie pointed out the devastating impact this migration has had on the healthcare system, revealing that the consequences are visible on the ground in hospitals across the country. He said, “I’ve seen hospitals where they now make use of nurses to sit in for doctors, that’s how bad the situation is. In hospitals, patients have to wait for extended periods before they can see a doctor. The patient load has overwhelmed the existing healthcare workers, leading patients to seek care from multiple facilities just to get the quality of service they need.”
He also discussed the poor state of emergency medical services in Nigeria, explaining that the country’s response times have worsened significantly, which has compromised the urgency of medical emergencies. “Honestly, the healthcare system needs help. The Nigerian healthcare system is crying for help, and that is the reality we face, especially with emergency services. It is very poor. When you're talking about emergency services in Nigeria, it’s no longer an emergency because it takes more than 30 minutes to get the help you need—by then, it’s no longer an emergency,” Dr. Chidozie said.
Reflecting on a personal experience that deepened his commitment to staying and improving the sector, Dr. Chidozie shared a tragic story of losing a loved one due to the inadequacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system. This personal loss fueled his determination to contribute to the nation’s recovery by making a difference in the healthcare landscape.
In an effort to address some of these challenges, Dr. Chidozie founded Pandacare, a digital healthcare platform that provides emergency ambulance services and on-demand medical care. The platform is designed to simplify access to healthcare, making it as easy as booking a ride on a ride-hailing app like Bolt.
“Pandacare is a digital healthcare platform that provides emergency ambulance services for clients, no matter where they are or when they need it,” Dr. Chidozie explained. “When you think about Pandacare, think about the ‘Bolt’ of healthcare. Just as easy as you could book a ride, you can now gain access to healthcare services at the push of a button on your phone.”
He also emphasized the affordability of Pandacare’s services, explaining that they have set up subscription plans for clients, enabling them to access the platform’s services at any time. “Pandacare services are affordable. We are making room for subscription plans for our clients, so when you need the service, it’s available,” he added.
Regarding the quality of healthcare professionals on the platform, Dr. Chidozie reassured the public that doctors on Pandacare would undergo rigorous training and vetting before being allowed to provide services. “We have a vetting team to verify the certificates and the most recent licenses of our doctors. We don’t just take anyone. We ensure that only qualified and recent professionals with valid licenses are providing services,” he said.
Pandacare aims to not only provide access to urgent care but also to support the entire healthcare ecosystem by offering a more efficient, affordable, and user-friendly solution to Nigeria’s health sector challenges. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Dr. Chidozie remains resolute in his mission to bring positive change and provide a sustainable healthcare system for Nigeria.