No Nigerian doctor should earn below N1m monthly — ARD President

The President of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, OOUTH, Sagamu, Dr. John Omotoso, has called on the Federal and State Governments to declare a state of emergency in Nigeria’s health sector, describing the current state of healthcare delivery as alarming.

Mr Omotoso also advocated improved welfare for healthcare workers, insisting that no medical doctor in Nigeria should earn less than N1 million monthly in view of the country’s prevailing economic realities.

According to him, poor remuneration and unfavourable working conditions have continued to fuel the mass migration of doctors and other health professionals abroad, worsening the shortage of medical personnel and undermining healthcare services across the country.

The family medicine specialist further urged the government to prohibit politicians and public officeholders from seeking medical treatment overseas, arguing that such a policy would compel decision-makers to invest more in local healthcare facilities.

He made the remarks on Monday while speaking with journalists during the 32nd induction ceremony of newly graduated medical students into the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences Medical Alumni Association of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

“The truth is that practising medicine in Nigeria is no longer attractive or encouraging,” Omotoso said. “The sooner the government addresses these challenges, the better for everyone.”

He added: “I strongly recommend that the government declare a state of emergency in the health sector. One of the boldest steps that can be taken is to stop politicians and public officeholders from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

“If this is done, many of the hospitals that have been neglected will receive the attention they deserve. Those who determine healthcare funding should be made to rely on the same hospitals available to ordinary Nigerians.”

Mr Omotoso said improving healthcare infrastructure must go hand in hand with better welfare packages for medical personnel.

“Doctors, nurses and other health workers should be remunerated adequately, just as politicians are. If this is done, many of our colleagues who have left the country may be encouraged to return,” he said.

“Considering the current economic situation, no medical doctor should earn less than N1 million per month. Some politicians receive that amount as allowances. Government must understand that poorly motivated workers cannot be expected to give their best.”

The ARD president disclosed that entry-level doctors currently earn between N250,000 and N300,000 monthly, a figure he described as grossly inadequate in the face of rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.

He therefore urged the government to undertake an urgent review of doctors’ salaries and raise the minimum monthly pay to at least N1 million.

Addressing the 71 newly inducted medical graduates, Omotoso encouraged them to carefully chart their career paths and embrace emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, which is increasingly transforming healthcare delivery and other professional fields.

He also urged the graduates to remain committed to giving back to society and contributing to the growth and development of their alma mater.

Speaking on the theme, “The Road Ahead: Connecting Today’s Graduate with Tomorrow’s Legacy,” the immediate past ARD President of the hospital, Dr. Olusola Monehin, advised the graduates to serve humanity with compassion, uphold professional integrity, embrace innovation and adhere strictly to medical ethics.

Mr Monehin said these values would be critical in building successful careers and sustaining the noble traditions of the medical profession.