APHPN CELEBRATES 40TH AGM AND 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN AKURE, ONDO STATE

... As Prof. Alphonsus Isara, President of APHPN, expresses concern on the depletion of Nigerian hospitals and the potential dangers to healthcare.

... Honours Former Gov. Mimiko, Health Minister Ali Pate, and Others

It was a remarkable week-long activity as the Association Of Public Health Physicians Of Nigeria (APHPN) held its 40th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference and the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the association in Akure, Ondo state on Monday 11th to 15th of March, 2024.

The events started with a press conference where the National President Of the Association Of Public Health Physicians Of Nigeria (APHPN) Prof. Alphonsus Isara spoke on the current economic hardship and the challenges facing healthcare delivery in Nigeria with include, the rising cost of medicine, depletion of health workers and poor hospital facilities across the country.

Prof. Isara emphasized the need for the government at all levels to act quickly to address the many issues facing the health sector, particularly the shortage of human resources brought on by the widespread brain drain known as the JAPA syndrome, to prevent citizens from dying prematurely.

The health expert stated, "Many citizens find it difficult to access healthcare due to the current socio-economic challenges." Due to many rules and circumstances that have hindered manufacturing enterprises from functioning efficiently in Nigeria, the majority of individuals are still unable to afford medical products, especially medications.

"A very weak healthcare system, depleted human resources arising from massive brain drain, especially in recent times, poor infrastructure, health insecurity (healthcare in danger), an uncoordinated approach to healthcare, a lack of political will on the part of the government, etc. are the obvious challenges facing healthcare delivery in Nigeria," the statement reads.

Nigeria's healthcare delivery system is in danger due to the plethora of public health challenges brought about by the current political climate in the nation. There are numerous evident fissures in the foundation of the health system. "There is a sharp decline in the number of health professionals due to brain drain, as numerous healthcare professionals have left Nigeria in search of better opportunities overseas."

According to the President, “Our vision is to deliver excellence in public health practice and contribute to the attainment of better health, equity and well-being of Nigerians. Our core values are Empowerment through partnerships; Service with commitment; Team building with mentorship; Continuous improvement in practice; and Timeliness in response. Members of our Association have taken and will continue to take the leadership role in epidemic responses in Nigeria.

"During a period when other medical professionals were hesitant to confront the virus head-on, we were at the forefront of the COVID-19 response nationwide." Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever, and cerebrospinal meningitis constantly threaten Nigeria's healthcare system. Consequently, the APHPN has pushed for the adoption of infection prevention protocols in Nigeria at the facility and community levels. Additionally, the APHPN demands that the Department of Public Health be established in all of our nation's secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.

In the long run, this will improve our readiness for responding to epidemics in the future. Healthcare delivery in Nigeria faces several evident challenges, including but not limited to a very weak healthcare system; depleted human resources resulting from a massive brain drain, particularly in recent times; poor infrastructure; health insecurity (healthcare in danger); an uncoordinated approach to healthcare; and a lack of political will on the part of the government, among others. The foundational elements of the health system are cracked in numerous ways. Due to the brain drain, which has caused many health professionals to leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities overseas, there is a sharp decline in the number of health workers.

The program also features different plenary sessions where issues relating to public health in Nigeria are discussed. The event was declared open by the Ondo State Governor, His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami. While applauding the association on its 40th AGM and Scientific Conference and its 50th Anniversary, he said, that Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa will continue to improve the health care system of the state. Has he made commitments towards building on the health infrastructure in the state and improving on all the indices of development?

In his words, “We are undertaking structural and infrastructural upgrades of our health facilities. For example, the construction of 500 bedded wards in the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), the construction and renovation of many health facilities and the replacement of obsolete medical equipment with ultra-modern down-to-the-earth equipment, across all levels of care."

Highlights of the event were the Dr. Isaac Oluwole Memorial Lecture where Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, the Vice‑chancellor of, the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State delivered his keynote address on the Theme: Repositioning the Health Agenda in a New Dispensation held at Dome International Conference Centre, Akure, where the likes of the Minister of Health Professor Mohammad Ali Pate, Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas, Former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko were honoured.

As part of the activities to wrap up the event was the Jubilee luncheon and award presentation held at the Main Auditorium, of Nibanola Motherland, Ondo City where many APHPN Members who have distinguished themselves in their career and have held or still holding positions of service to humanity and the medical profession were honoured for their services.

BRIEF ABOUT APHPN

APHPN was birthed by the founding fathers on the 30th of March, 1974, as the Association of Community Physicians of Nigeria (ACPN).

It was renamed Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) in 2007 to reflect the broad and all-inclusive nature of our membership, comprising Community/Public Health Physicians in Nigeria, at all levels in the LGAs, state ministries, federal ministries, parastatals, universities, teaching hospitals, international agencies, NGOs, research institutes and private medical practice. APHPN has members in all the thirty-six States including the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

The members of APHPN work at all three tiers of health care delivery (primary, secondary, and tertiary level) in Nigeria. They provide promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care services. Some members are also trained and skilled in health management, leadership and policy; and are involved in health policy formulation, program planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning,” the President.