NIGERIA: MWAN Calls For Urgent Improvements In Women’s Healthcare

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), has called for significant improvements in healthcare infrastructure and fair distribution of healthcare resources across the country to address the growing health challenges facing women.

This call was made at the end of the 5th National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting and Scientific Conference, held over three days in Jos, Plateau State, with the theme “Advancing Women’s Health for a Sustainable Future.”

A communiqué released at the conclusion of the event on Sunday outlined several pressing issues, including the rising incidence of breast and cervical cancers in Nigerian women.

MWAN emphasised the importance of timely diagnosis, equitable access to treatments, and the expansion of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs to combat these cancers.

The communiqué, signed by MWAN’s National President, Prof. Rosemary Ogu, and National Coordinator Secretary, Dr. Vetty Agala, highlighted the challenges in maternal and child health, including high maternal mortality rates, iron deficiency anaemia, and economic and environmental stressors.

“Timely diagnosis and treatment of breast and cervical cancer must be prioritised to save lives. In addition, we need to address the misconceptions surrounding HPV vaccination through advocacy and community education,” MWAN stated in the communiqué.

The association also advocated for targeted interventions that address the compounded effects of poverty, gender inequality, and climate change on women’s health, particularly in rural areas. MWAN emphasized the need for stronger healthcare policies to support women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

“We must improve healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved regions, by ensuring the equitable distribution of human resources and strengthening healthcare infrastructure,” the communiqué continued.

MWAN also underscored the importance of empowering female doctors through leadership training and mentorship, aiming to enhance their representation and influence in the medical field.

The NEC meeting, which included key stakeholders like Plateau State’s Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ngo Josephine Piyo, provided a platform for knowledge exchange and strategic planning among medical professionals and healthcare advocates.

MWAN expressed its appreciation for its partners, including APIN Public Health Initiatives, NASCO Foods, and the AIM MNCH Consortium, for their support in organizing the event.

“We are grateful to our partners and members for their continued commitment to advancing MWAN’s mission of improving women’s health,” the communiqué concluded.

The association resolved to continue its advocacy for women’s health, organize regular training for healthcare providers, expand partnerships, and use traditional and social media to spread accurate health information across the country.