The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has raised alarm that poor pay, difficult working conditions, and inadequate manpower are driving many medical professionals out of the country in unprecedented numbers.
Speaking at the association’s 45th Annual General Meeting in Katsina State on Wednesday, NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the situation has worsened healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
“The constant quest for better living conditions always drives migration. In our case, it is fueled by poor remuneration, exhaustive working conditions, and a severe shortage of manpower. This exodus has left more critically ill patients unattended due to the shrinking workforce,” Osundara said.
He noted that for over ten years, there had been no serious attempt to improve doctors’ wages through collective bargaining, a gap he described as dangerous for the health sector.
“Policies on incentives, salaries, and wages must be strengthened to reduce attrition. The strongest motivation for health workers in Nigeria remains prompt and fair financial rewards,” he added.
Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, who declared the event open, appealed to medical professionals to remain committed to national service despite the challenges.
“The importance of your profession is such that society cannot survive without it. That is why I urge you to put patriotism ahead of remuneration, because the lives you save are invaluable,” the governor said.
Radda assured participants that his administration was investing in primary healthcare across communities to reduce pressure on larger hospitals.
NARD recently suspended a five-day warning strike after two days, giving the Federal Government two weeks to meet its demands. The doctors are expected to review the government’s response at the close of their meeting this week.
Osundara stressed that the decision to suspend the strike was taken “as a hand of goodwill to Nigerians” but warned that members were not abandoning their demands.
“We are only giving the government time to act on the issues. Our members believe that showing goodwill to Nigerians, who are already enduring harsh economic realities, is the right thing to do at this moment,” he explained.
