The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has picked holes in the recent decision made by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to recognize Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Optometry graduates as ‘Doctors’ instead of calling them Pharmacists or Physiotherapists.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the Executive Council of NARD noted in a statement that while it supports the professional aspirations of all healthcare workers, the new policy can however cause confusion among patients, deepen interprofessional rivalry and undermine healthcare delivery.
‘Conferring the title of ‘Doctor’ on multiple professional groups without public education or structural clarity may confuse patients, worsen interprofessional tensions, and promote quackery in an already fragile health system’ the association warned.
Recall that the NUC had in January this year announced the upgrade of some medical-related academic programmes such as Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Optometry degrees, in Nigerian universities and changed their nomenclatures from bachelor’s degrees to ‘doctor’ status.
Acting Director of Public Affairs, NUC, Franca Chukwuonwo had noted that students studying the affected courses will now spend six years at theirrespective institutions instead of five years.
NARD has however criticized what it described as an increasing trend by other health worker groups to compete with medical doctors, rather than focus on systemic reforms.
‘Globally, there is no precedent where pharmacists, physiotherapists, or optometrists in public institutions earn more than medical doctors. Patients typically seek doctors for diagnosis and treatment decisions—a fact reflected in salary structures and clinical governance worldwide’ the statement said.
NARD added that while the NUC cited ‘global best practices’ to justify its decision, it however noted that in countries like the United Kingdom and Germany, the title ‘Doctor’ is not automatically conferred on pharmacists or physiotherapists after undergraduate training, except through a PhD.
The association emphasized importance of teamwork in healthcare, noting that ‘care delivery depends on clear roles and trust’.
NARD also called on the NUC to reconsider the policy and instead focus on reforms that promote collaboration, clarify professional boundaries, and improve healthcare quality.
‘We believe all healthcare professionals should take pride in their unique roles. If one wishes to become a medical doctor, there is a rigorous, defined pathway for that.
We respectfully urge the NUC to reconsider this change and instead pursue policies that strengthen collaboration, clarity, and excellence in healthcare’ the association added-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
