Health sector stakeholders in Nigeria have emphasized that competence, while essential, is not enough to deliver quality healthcare. They insist that doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals must also demonstrate compassion when caring for patients.
The statkeholders spoke at the Maiden Edition of the Dr. Mustapha Faiz Alimi Colloquium, themed “Competence, Character & Compassion as Critical Components of Nation Building: Dr. M.F. Alimi Legacy”, in honoir the late Dr. Mustapha Faiz Alimi, who served as the Medical Director of the hospital until his passing in March 2025 after a brief illness. He had led the institution for eight years and was due to retire in July 2025.
The colloquium, held at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, participants highlighted the need for healthcare providers to blend technical expertise with empathy and humane care to enhance the overall patient experience.
According to stakeholders, while technical competence remains vital, the true quality of healthcare is defined by empathy, respect, and genuine concern for patients’ well-being. They noted that compassion, expressed through active listening, dignity, and emotional support, not only promotes faster recovery but also builds trust between patients and healthcare providers.
Minister Urges Balance Between Expertise and Empathy
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Salako, represented by the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, cautioned against reducing healthcare delivery to “mere clinical expertise.”
“Healthcare is incomplete without the human touch that goes beyond routine clinical procedures,” he said.
Salako stressed that when competence is combined with compassion and integrity, it leads to better patient outcomes, reduces burnout among healthcare workers, and restores public confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He expressed concern over viral social media reports exposing instances where healthcare professionals failed to demonstrate empathy toward patients in distress. According to him, such lapses not only tarnish the image of the profession but also erode public trust in the system.
Defining Compassion in Healthcare
“Compassion in healthcare,” Salako explained, “is the recognition of another’s suffering combined with empathy and a willingness to act to alleviate it. It is a core tenet of ethical medical practice, influencing treatment response, reducing pain, fostering self-care, and strengthening patient-provider relationships.”
He emphasized that compassion involves:
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Awareness of suffering — recognizing patients’ pain, distress, or discomfort.
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Empathy and emotional resonance — understanding the patient’s experience from their perspective.
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A desire to alleviate suffering — feeling a genuine commitment to help.
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Taking tangible action — providing reassurance, listening actively, offering support, and communicating respectfully.
“Translating empathy into action is key,” Salako added. “It is not enough to understand patients’ distress; healthcare professionals must demonstrate compassion through practical support and humane communication.”
A Call for Conscious Professionalism
The minister further warned that, in today’s digital age, every interaction between healthcare workers and patients can be recorded and shared widely without their knowledge. He urged practitioners to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and compassion, noting that these values are central to building both trust and excellence in the healthcare sector.
