There are many medical doctors in Tinubu’s cabinet – Minister

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, has expressed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the medical sector including an improved welfare package to all health workers, and not just doctors.

Salako said the President’s commitment to the medical sector is reflected in the number of doctors in the Federal Executive Council, saying Tinubu’s cabinet “is a cabinet of doctors.”

The Minister, who is a public health physician and former commissioner for Health in Ogun State, spoke at the National Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) annual general meeting and scientific conference in Abeokuta.

The theme of the meeting was: “Evolving Roles Of Doctors In Healthcare Management And Nation Building.”

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In his remarks, he described Tinubu’s government as medical-centric, saying his government is dedicated to revitalizing the healthcare sector, ensuring quality Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians.

Salako said “Mr President is medical-centric. I say this cabinet is a cabinet of doctors.

“I cannot recall any other time that we had eight doctors in a federal cabinet in Nigeria. I am a doctor, Minister of Health, Minister of State for Health, State for Education and so on. This means doctors have a voice in the system and we are going to use that voice to push for the welfare of not only doctors but the entire health workforce.

“Like I also said, the commitment of Mr President is to all Nigerians and I can say Mr President he wants to do all his best to turn around the fortune of Nigeria so that all of us can start smiling again.”

Earlier in his remarks, the President of NARD, Dele Abdullahi, expressed concern that resident doctors, despite unfavourable working conditions, are committed to the country.

He, however, demanded improved welfare for all resident doctors across the country.