Katsina Gov Urges Doctors to Put Patriotism Above Pay as NARD Decries Poor Welfare

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has urged Nigerian doctors to prioritise patriotism and compassion over financial gain in the discharge of their duties.

Radda made the appeal on Wednesday while declaring open the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Katsina.

“The importance of the medical profession is so much that every society needs it, and so it is important for you to also put patriotism ahead of remuneration,” the governor said.

He assured that his administration would continue to support healthcare workers in the state, with a focus on strengthening primary health centres to reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary facilities.

NARD President, Dr Tope Osundara, however, stressed that worsening welfare conditions remain the major driver of the mass migration of health workers abroad.

“Migration in Nigeria is fueled by factors such as poor remuneration, exhaustive working conditions, and a shortage of manpower, which we’ve witnessed in an unprecedented way,” Osundara said.

“The exodus of health workers has potentially increased the percentage of critically ill patients with an inadequate healthcare workforce to cater to their needs.”

He noted that for over a decade, there had been no collective bargaining agreement to improve doctors’ salaries, adding that policies on incentives and training must be strengthened to boost morale and reduce attrition.

Osundara, who praised members for their resilience, recalled that NARD suspended its five-day warning strike after two days in September to give the Federal Government time to meet its demands.

The association is expected to reconvene on September 26 to review progress and decide on further action.