The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has raised concerns over the National Universities Commission’s decision to elevate academic titles in Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry from bachelor’s degrees to “Doctor” status.
In a statement by its Executive Council, NARD emphasized that while it supports the career growth of all healthcare professionals, the policy could lead to patient confusion, escalate professional tensions, and encourage quackery within the healthcare system.
The association warned that assigning the title “Doctor” across multiple professions without adequate public education or structural adjustments could damage the already fragile health sector. The NUC had earlier announced that students in these upgraded programmes will now spend six years in training, up from the previous five, as part of a move to align with “global best practices.”
NARD criticized what it described as a recurring pattern where other health professional groups seek parity with medical doctors rather than pursuing systemic improvements, noting that between 2005 and 2025, most industrial actions by such groups were driven by demands for salary equality.
It added that internationally, doctors maintain leadership roles in clinical settings and typically command higher pay due to their diagnostic and decision-making responsibilities. The association also responded to the recent controversy between the Lagos branches of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Medical Association over the introduction of a consultant cadre for pharmacists, which the PSN supported and the NMA opposed.
NARD stated that in countries like the UK and Germany, pharmacists and physiotherapists do not automatically earn the “Doctor” title without obtaining a PhD, countering the NUC’s justification based on international standards. Reaffirming the value of teamwork in healthcare, NARD urged the NUC to prioritize policies that enhance collaboration, define professional boundaries, and promote healthcare excellence, while encouraging all professionals to value their unique roles within the system.
Source : https://healthwise.punchng.com/
