The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has hailed the Nigerian Association for Resident Doctors (NARD) for prioritising leadership and entrepreneurial skills for doctors, assuring a healthcare system that works for everyone.
The minister, recognising the crucial role expected of doctors to assist the present administration drive it’s agenda of achieving universal health coverage by 2030; emphasised the urgent need for them to also hone their skills for leadership and entrepreneurial ability in today’s changing circumstances.
Salako stated this in a keynote address during the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council Meeting/Scientific Conference of the NARD, held in Abuja.
The conference was tagged “Empowering Doctors with Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills: A Panacea for Universal health Coverage and Brighter Healthcare System.”
Highlighting the goals and objectives that the conference set out to achieve, the minister commended NARD, pointing out that it would maximally drive the deliverables of the ministry towards the actualisation of qualitative healthcare services to Nigerians devoid of financial hardship.
He said: “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 the expected increase in 4 years under the Presidential Priority deliverables is 20%.”
To this end, the minister explained that as government strives in the direction of UCH, the roles of doctors have expanded beyond clinical service delivery but also at the leadership level.
He added: “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.”
On achieving industrial harmony in the sector, the minister seized the opportunity to urge resident doctors to deepen communication with their employers.
He assured them of readiness of his ministry 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.
Speaking earlier, the President of the NARD, Dr. Zenith Tope Osundara, highlighted challenges facing the association, emphasising it requires expertise of seasoned leaders.
Osundara pointed out that the country need complete business leaders with entrepreneurial skills to transform the health system and, foster resilience to have a better and brighter healthcare system.
