Resident doctors demand N1m minimum salary for medical practitioners

The President of the Association of Resident Doctors at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital has called for a minimum monthly salary of N1 million for doctors and urged the government to bar politicians from seeking medical treatment abroad.

The President of the Association of Resident Doctors, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Dr John Omotoso, has decried the poor remuneration of health workers in Nigeria, calling for a minimum monthly salary of N1 million for the least-paid doctor. Omotoso made the demand on Monday while speaking during the 32nd induction ceremony of medical graduates into the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences Medical Alumni Association of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

He also advocated legislation to prohibit politicians and public office holders from travelling abroad for medical treatment, arguing that such a policy would help drive improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Omotoso said, “The truth is that practising medicine in the country is no longer appealing and encouraging, and the faster the government move to address this challenge, the better for all of us.” He added, “I strongly recommend that the government should please declare a state of emergency in the health sector. And one of the most radical steps that can be taken is to implement a policy that will stop politicians and public office holders from going outside of this country to seek medical attention.”

According to the resident doctors’ leader, poor working conditions and inadequate remuneration have continued to fuel the migration of healthcare professionals abroad in search of better opportunities. He warned that the growing exodus of medical personnel was creating severe manpower shortages across health facilities in the country, with implications for healthcare delivery and patient care.

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