The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged Nigeria to intensify efforts to improve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), citing the country’s poor performance on key health indices.
Speaking at the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) annual general meeting and scientific conference in Abuja, Dr Francis Ukwuije, WHO Nigeria health economist, stressed that Nigeria should be recording stronger outcomes in maternal health, disease control and healthcare access.
“Nigeria is a large country with significant health investments, so we expect stronger improvements in maternal healthcare, communicable and non-communicable diseases, health system capacity and access. WHO data indicates that Nigeria continues to lag behind other African nations in these areas,” he said.
Ukwuije identified inadequate funding, high maternal mortality and limited health insurance coverage as major setbacks, and called on government and stakeholders to address these gaps. He expressed optimism that the current administration’s health sector investment programme could help reduce maternal deaths, expand insurance coverage and better protect vulnerable groups.
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He further urged health professionals and citizens to support President Bola Tinubu’s healthcare reform blueprint, emphasising that full implementation at all levels of government was vital for lasting improvements.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Titus Ibekwe, Provost of the College of Health Sciences at Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja), spoke on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Revolution in Medicine: Friend or Foe?”
He highlighted AI’s transformative role in medicine, particularly in oncology, and encouraged medical professionals to embrace its potential.
“AI has revolutionised healthcare, from data management to complex robotic surgeries. Its accuracy is near perfect in many areas, though challenges remain,” Ibekwe noted.
Also speaking, Dr Emeka Ayogu, Chairman of NMA-FCT, urged the government to ensure that families of doctors who died in service in the territory received their full entitlements.
He paid tribute to five late doctors and commended the chapter’s strides in advocacy and reforms.
The event concluded with the presentation of awards to individuals who have supported NMA-FCT’s activities and objectives.
