Monsuru Awodun, President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), has condemned the collapsing healthcare system in Nigeria, highlighting poor remuneration, staff shortages, and unsafe working conditions.

Speaking in Ilorin during a news conference held as part of the 42nd Annual General Meeting and Sir Ademola Aderibigbe Scientific Conference, themed “Leveraging Medical Residency Training as a Catalyst for Healthcare Policy Reforms in Nigeria,” Awodun linked the ongoing nationwide doctors’ strike to systemic failures.

“If the system were working, we would not be on strike. Many doctors struggle to pay school fees for their children or maintain their vehicles,” he said. “The healthcare sector is deteriorating, and the indefinite strike continues as long as these issues persist.”

Awodun described ARD members as dedicated professionals committed to improving healthcare in Nigeria, but noted a severe manpower shortage at UITH and other tertiary hospitals nationwide.

“Many departments operate with less than half of the required workforce. Growing patient loads and diminishing staff are stretching doctors to their limits, negatively impacting service delivery, training, and patient outcomes,” he explained.

He warned that the exodus of skilled resident doctors, both through resignations and migration abroad, is unprecedented and should alarm the nation. Critical issues include poor remuneration, irregular salaries for new members, low hazard allowances, and the recent downgrading of membership certificates, which undermines postgraduate training efforts.

“Doctors are facing fatigue and burnout, which increases the risk of medical errors and jeopardizes their physical and mental health. Safe and reasonable call-hour policies are urgently needed,” Awodun stressed.

Despite these challenges, ARD-UITH has achieved notable milestones, including mobilizing over N70 million to complete 11 self-contained apartments for members and medical students, facilitating the employment of 48 new resident doctors to ease workloads, and organizing an entrepreneurship seminar to help members attain financial stability.

“The association remains committed to improving healthcare delivery and supporting doctors while advocating for systemic reforms that benefit all Nigerians,” he concluded.