Bukola Afeni
The Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle Salako, has called on the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors to assist the present administration in driving its agenda of achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
Dr. Salako stated this in a keynote address during the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council Meeting/Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) held in Abuja.
He also hailed the Nigerian Association for Resident Doctors (NARD) for prioritizing leadership and entrepreneurial skills for doctors, assuring them of a healthcare system that works for everyone.
The theme of the conference is tagged “Empowering Doctors with Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills: A Panacea for Universal Health Coverage and a Brighter Healthcare System.”
“We want NARD to maximally drive the deliverables of the Ministry towards the actualization of qualitative healthcare services to Nigerians devoid of financial hardship,” Dr. Salako said.
According to the Minister, “Between 2023 and December 2024, we have achieved a 15.7% increase in the number of people covered by any form of health insurance, moving the figure from 16,797,451 to 19,440,516 in less than two years.”
“This is a remarkable achievement, considering the fact that the expected increase in four years under the Presidential Priority deliverables is 20%,” Dr. Salako stated.
The Honourable Minister explained that as the government strives in the direction of UCH, the roles of doctors have expanded beyond clinical service delivery to also include leadership.
“As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that doctors must be equipped with the skills to lead, innovate, and adapt to changing circumstances.”
“By combining leadership and entrepreneurship skills development, doctors can help bridge the gap towards UCH, ensuring that healthcare delivery in our country is managed more sustainably,” he added.
The Honourable Minister seized the opportunity to urge Resident Doctors to deepen communication with their employers.
He assured them of the Ministry’s readiness to meet and dialogue with a view to ensuring doctors’ welfare is given adequate attention within the limit of the economic realities in the country.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Zenith Tope Osundara, highlighted the challenges facing the association, emphasizing that it requires the expertise of seasoned leaders.
Dr. Osundara pointed out that the country needs complete business leaders with entrepreneurial skills to transform the health system and foster resilience to have a better and brighter healthcare system.
