The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive reform of the nation’s health policies—one that is inclusive, context-sensitive, and reflective of realities across the primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels.
The association also called on the government to show the political will needed to ensure the full and effective implementation of such reforms.
NMA President, Dr Bala Mohammed Audu, made the appeal during a dinner held in Uyo on Friday to mark the 2025 National Physicians Week, themed “Healthcare as a Value Chain: Building Efficiency from Policy to Patient,” with a sub-theme, “Tackling Burnout Among Nigerian Medical Doctors: Coach’s Perspective.”
Audu decried the poor working conditions endured by health workers and lamented that Nigeria’s health expenditure remains around 4.08 per cent of its GDP—far below the global average and the Abuja Declaration benchmark.
He urged all tiers of government to adopt deliberate and sustainable measures to improve healthcare delivery through innovative financing models that go beyond “fragmented reactive spending,” while ensuring reliable supply chains and diagnostic systems. He reaffirmed the NMA’s readiness to collaborate with the government to drive these changes.
“Well-crafted and evidence-based policies must translate into action, not remain as mere documents,” Audu stated. “We must insist on implementation-ready policies that are context-sensitive and aligned with realities at every level of healthcare delivery.”
While encouraging his colleagues to remain steadfast in their commitment to patient care despite unfavourable working conditions, Audu envisioned a future where essential drugs are always available, referrals are seamless, pregnant women in rural areas can access skilled care early, and doctors are empowered to save lives without being hindered by systemic challenges.
In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom State NMA Chairman, Dr Aniekan Peter, praised medical practitioners for their resilience and unwavering dedication to patient care despite mounting pressures. He noted that Nigerian doctors face immense workloads, saying, “While a doctor in a developed country may attend to about 20 patients daily, it’s not unusual for a doctor in Nigeria to see over 60 in a single day. This highlights the strength and perseverance of our medical professionals.”
Peter commended Governor Umo Eno for improving doctors’ welfare through wage and allowance increases and infrastructural upgrades. He also outlined several achievements of the state chapter within the year, including the payment of over ₦11 million for members’ medical care, settlement of CONMESS and promotion arrears for University of Uyo members, disbursement of endowment funds, resolution of entry-level issues for residents at UUTH, and a scholarship awarded to the child of a late colleague.
Also speaking, the NMA Vice Chairman, Dr Tiemah Akpabio, urged members to view themselves as the vital link between policymaking and effective patient care. She encouraged them to embrace the coming transformation in healthcare through Artificial Intelligence, assuring that AI would not replace their roles but rather enhance their capacity.
Akpabio further lauded Dr Peter for his strong advocacy and commitment to members’ welfare within the state chapter.
