President Bola Tinubu says his administration has recruited more than 30,000 healthcare professionals into federal health facilities in the past two and a half years to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.
Mr Tinubu, represented by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, spoke at the opening of the West African College of Physicians, WACP, 50th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Abuja on Monday.
He said the government had prioritised healthcare workforce recruitment, retention, welfare and training, recognising that the performance of any health system depended largely on the strength of its workforce.
The president said the administration had doubled quotas for medical education and supported the training of tens of thousands of frontline health workers to improve access to quality healthcare.
He added that the government was investing in postgraduate medical education, specialist institutions and digital innovations to improve healthcare management, patient records, disease surveillance and data-driven decision-making.
Tinubu said the measures formed part of broader reforms aimed at advancing universal health coverage and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for Nigerians across the country.
He said the government had invested in constructing, rehabilitating and equipping health facilities, while revitalising primary healthcare centres and increasing direct financing through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
The president also said the administration had expanded health insurance coverage to bring more Nigerians under financial protection against catastrophic healthcare expenditure and reduce the burden of medical costs.
On healthcare professionals’ migration, Tinubu said the government would work to stem the trend and encourage health workers to return to Nigeria and other countries in the region.
Tinubu called for stronger regional cooperation to prevent and control infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola virus disease, through improved surveillance, laboratory networks, emergency preparedness and cross-border collaboration.
He said Nigeria was ready to work with WACP, ECOWAS, the African Union and other partners to strengthen regional health security, while urging medical institutions to embrace innovation responsibly.
Earlier, WACP President, Dr Mamadou-Mourtalla Ka, said the college had trained and certified thousands of specialist physicians who contributed to clinical practice, medical education, scientific research and health leadership across West Africa and beyond.
Ka said the golden jubilee provided an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s achievements since its establishment in 1976 and consider its responsibilities in improving healthcare delivery across the sub-region.
He said the college’s founding fathers had established it with a clear vision of promoting excellence in postgraduate medical education, strengthening professional standards and improving healthcare quality across West Africa.
According to him, achievements recorded over five decades resulted from successive generations of physicians who sustained the college’s commitment to specialist training and professional development.
The president paid tribute to the founding fathers, past presidents, senior fellows, teachers and mentors whose dedication and perseverance had helped build the institution over the years.
He said their contributions should inspire current members to preserve the college’s values, strengthen its unity and prepare the next generation of physicians for emerging healthcare challenges.
Ka identified the burden of non-communicable diseases, persistent infectious diseases and inequalities in access to quality healthcare as major concerns requiring sustained attention across the region.
He said addressing those challenges required stronger postgraduate medical education, relevant scientific research, closer collaboration among national chapters and continued commitment to high standards of professional practice.
The president stressed the importance of embracing advances in medical science and technology while preserving the human values central to the medical profession.
He said younger fellows and trainees had a pivotal role in shaping the college’s next 50 years, urging members to equip them with relevant knowledge, skills and professional values.
Ka said the college’s future would depend on its ability to maintain unity across national, cultural and linguistic boundaries, guided by a shared commitment to excellence and service.
He urged participants to use the AGM and scientific conference to exchange knowledge, strengthen professional relationships and develop practical approaches to common health challenges across the region.
The president appreciated the Nigerian chapter, local organising committee, government representatives and other partners for their contributions to the golden jubilee celebration and its successful organisation.
He welcomed physicians and other participants from West Africa and beyond, expressing hope that the meeting would promote fruitful scientific exchanges and constructive discussions on the college’s future.
Also speaking, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, called for increased investment in medical education, specialist training, research and digital health technologies to improve healthcare delivery.
Mahmoud said physicians played critical roles in disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and health policy development, making their contributions essential to strengthening health systems across the region.
She emphasised the importance of improving healthcare workers’ welfare, professional development and retention to address infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health challenges.
The minister commended WACP for providing a platform for medical experts across West Africa to exchange knowledge, share scientific innovations and develop solutions to common health challenges.
She urged the college to expand opportunities for young physicians, promote ethical medical practice and embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve healthcare delivery.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the anniversary celebration featured the induction of new members and fellows and the presentation of awards to distinguished physicians.
Organisers reported 1,376 participants, comprising 1,059 physical attendees and 317 virtual participants, reflecting the broad regional and international interest in the college’s golden jubilee celebration.
The registration breakdown included 657 fellows, 319 inductee fellows, 283 inductee members, 76 members and 41 accompanying persons who attended the anniversary events and scientific conference.
The WACP’s 50th anniversary marks five decades of postgraduate medical education, specialist certification and professional collaboration aimed at improving healthcare standards and strengthening medical practice across West Africa.
NAN