The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has commended the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) for prioritizing leadership and entrepreneurial skills among doctors, emphasizing the importance of a healthcare system that serves all Nigerians effectively.
Recognizing the pivotal role of doctors in advancing the government’s agenda for universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030, Dr. Salako stressed the urgent need for medical professionals to enhance their leadership and entrepreneurial abilities in an evolving healthcare landscape.
He made this remark in a keynote address at the National Executive Council Meeting and Scientific Conference of NARD, held at the Royal Inn Hotel, Abuja. The conference, themed “Empowering Doctors with Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills: A Panacea for Universal Health Coverage and a Brighter Healthcare System,” aimed to equip doctors with essential skills for better healthcare delivery.
In a press statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr. Salako lauded NARD for its strategic focus, noting that such initiatives will significantly enhance the ministry’s efforts to provide quality healthcare without financial hardship for Nigerians.
Highlighting progress in healthcare coverage, the minister revealed:
“Between 2023 and December 2024, we have achieved a 15.7% increase in the number of Nigerians covered by health insurance, growing from 16,797,451 to 19,440,516 in less than two years. This is a significant achievement, considering that the expected increase over four years under the Presidential Priority Deliverables is 20%.”
Dr. Salako further explained that as the government pushes towards universal health coverage, doctors’ roles extend beyond clinical service delivery to leadership and innovation.
“As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, doctors must be equipped with the skills to lead, innovate, and adapt to changing circumstances. By combining leadership and entrepreneurship, they can help bridge the gap toward UHC and ensure a more sustainable healthcare system in Nigeria,” he added.
On achieving industrial harmony, the minister encouraged resident doctors to maintain open communication with their employers, assuring them of the ministry’s commitment to addressing their welfare within the country’s economic realities.
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Speaking earlier, Dr. Zenith Tope Osundara, President of NARD, outlined the challenges facing the association, stressing the need for experienced leadership to navigate them effectively.
“Nigeria needs medical professionals who are not just clinicians but business-minded leaders capable of transforming the health system and fostering resilience for a better and brighter healthcare future,” he stated.
