AfriPulse
Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud has reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to advancing paediatric surgical care.
Mahmoud stated this at the official opening of the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria (Abuja Chapter) held in Abuja.
She emphasized the critical role paediatric surgeons play in safeguarding children’s health, highlighting the speciality’s compassion, precision, and resilience in contributing to national well-being.
The Minister acknowledged the challenges facing the healthcare system, including limited infrastructure and skilled manpower shortages, while also recognizing opportunities through technological innovation, improved training, and government reforms.
Mahmoud pledged close collaboration with professional bodies to expand access to quality healthcare and improve referral systems, ensuring timely surgical interventions for children across urban and rural areas.
She, however, commended the association’s dedication to training, research, and mentorship and stressed the importance of preventive care through stronger linkages among healthcare professionals to reduce late presentation of conditions.
She urged participants to focus on practical solutions and actionable recommendations to enhance policy and clinical practice, affirming her office’s openness to ongoing dialogue to improve child health services in the FCT and beyond.
Earlier, chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Philip Mshelbwala noted that Nigeria faces a critical shortage of paediatric surgeons, with an alarming ratio of specialists to patients that demand urgent attention.
In his words, ‘As a case in point, the FCT and Nasarawa State have 15 paediatric surgeons for a combined population of approximately 4.3 million, with half being children.
“This falls well below World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.”
Mshelbwala, assured of the unwavering commitment of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria to bridge this gap through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving.
Source: NationalAccordNewspaper | Read the Full Story…
