No doctor should earn below N1m monthly – OOUTH ARD

Dr. John Omotoso, President of the Association of Resident Doctors at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), has called for a drastic increase in doctors' salaries, stating that no medical doctor should earn less than N1 million per month. He argued that current entry-level salaries, ranging from N250,000 to N300,000, are insufficient and contribute significantly to the "japa" phenomenon, where healthcare professionals leave Nigeria for better opportunities abroad.

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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.

Omotoso emphasized that the exodus of medical personnel has led to an acute shortage of staff in Nigerian health facilities. He proposed that the government declare a state of emergency in the health sector. A radical step, he suggested, would be to prohibit politicians and public office holders from seeking medical treatment outside the country. "If that is being done, many of the hospitals that have been left unattended would be looked into," Omotoso stated.

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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.

He believes that if politicians patronize local hospitals, it would spur improvements. "But when those who call the shots about hospital funding are not even patronising the hospital within the shores of the country, then the problem continues, and the problem lingers," he added. Omotoso also urged the government to ensure adequate payment for all health workers, comparing their compensation to that of politicians. He warned that poorly motivated employees cannot deliver their best work, especially given the current economic realities.

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If that is being done, many of the hospitals that have been left unattended would be looked into. But when those who call the shots about hospital funding are not even patronising the hospital within the shores of the country, then the problem continues, and the problem lingers; this is the starting step for us to redeem the image of medical practice in the country.