Shortage of hospital bed capacity and overcrowding in emergency tertiary healthcare centers in Nigeria

Shortage of hospital bed capacity and overcrowding remains a significant problem in Nigeria's healthcare system. The problem is even more conspicuous in emergency units in various health institutions. Despite Nigeria's already high morbidity burden, overcrowding remains a problem in these parts. The problem of overcrowding in tertiary health institutions can be traced back to a more specialized approach the institutions give as well as self-referrals that is common among community populations. The resultant effect is the referral of patients which can worsen already severe complications if not admitted immediately. Our study contributes to providing more information regarding the problems causing the shortage as well as recommends tenable solutions that could be enacted to solving this pressing problem.