The Vice President of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), Prof. Benjamin Uzochukwu, has called for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s healthcare system, warning that poor funding, inadequate infrastructure and unfavourable working conditions could accelerate the migration of skilled medical professionals and further weaken healthcare delivery.
Uzochukwu made the call on Tuesday during a press conference at Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University of Ibadan, ahead of the 50th Annual General and Scientific Conference of the WACP Nigeria Chapter.
The briefing focused on the challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector, including inadequate funding, shortage of healthcare workers, governance issues and the need for stronger partnerships to improve healthcare delivery.
Uzochukwu, who also serves as Chairman of the Nigeria Chapter of the WACP, said Nigeria’s healthcare challenges require comprehensive reforms rather than policies aimed at restricting doctors and other health professionals from seeking opportunities abroad.
He noted that while artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in modern medicine, particularly in disease diagnosis, it cannot replace the human judgement and compassion required in patient care.
“In our clinical practice, we have found that artificial intelligence is very helpful, particularly in diagnosis. However, when it comes to management, the human element is missing,” he said.
According to him, empathy remains a critical component of effective healthcare delivery and cannot be replicated by technology.
The professor expressed concern over the continued migration of healthcare professionals, saying the loss of experienced specialists has placed enormous pressure on Nigeria’s health system.
He argued that improving salaries, working conditions and career development opportunities would be more effective than policies designed to discourage doctors from travelling abroad for training or employment.
“To curb brain drain, we must ensure that what we have within the country is sufficient, of high quality, and offers appropriate remuneration to sustain the health system,” he said.
Uzochukwu also called for increased investment across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities to improve access to quality medical services and restore public confidence in the health sector.
He stressed the importance of translating research findings into practical health policies through collaboration among researchers, policymakers, communities and the media.
As an example, he cited a mental health programme evaluation conducted in Ibadan with support from Canada’s International Development Research Centre, saying stakeholder engagement played a key role in influencing policy development.
On health financing, Uzochukwu urged the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to the health sector, noting that Nigeria still falls short of the 15 per cent funding target agreed under the Abuja Declaration.
He also warned about the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and the need for greater preparedness to respond to future disease outbreaks.
“The next pandemic is not a matter of if but when,” he cautioned.
Despite the challenges facing the sector, Uzochukwu said the West African College of Physicians has remained committed to advancing specialist medical education and healthcare delivery since its establishment in 1976.
He disclosed that the college has produced 4,654 Fellows across Community Health, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Paediatrics and Psychiatry, many of whom now serve as consultants, researchers, educators and health administrators across West Africa.
According to him, the college is also expanding the use of digital health technologies, including telemedicine, health informatics and artificial intelligence, while emphasising the ethical application of such innovations in medical practice.
The week-long conference, themed “Building Bridges, Forging Resilience and Partnership in Health,” will hold from July 5 to 11 at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre.
Organisers said the event is expected to attract more than 400 Fellows, members and international collaborators who will discuss the future of specialist medical training and healthcare delivery in West Africa.
Activities lined up for the conference include a community medical outreach programme expected to provide free screening and treatment for about 500 residents of Kasumu Ajia and neighbouring communities for conditions such as malaria, hypertension, diabetes, dental diseases, refractive eye problems and selected surgical conditions.