Nigeria advocates stronger healthcare regulation at AMCOA Workshop
By Abujah Racheal
The Federal Government has urged stronger healthcare regulation and increased collaboration to address key challenges faced by health systems across Africa.
This call was made on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) workshop in Abuja.
Dr Iziq Adekunle Salako, the Coordinating Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, emphasised the urgency of taking action to resolve critical issues affecting healthcare across the continent.
In his opening remarks, Salako highlighted several pressing challenges, including health workforce migration, practitioner malpractice, and gaps in data management.
He stressed that health regulators play a crucial role in shaping resilient health systems, ensuring effective leadership and robust regulation.
“Africa stands at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges, from pandemics to the increasing migration of skilled healthcare professionals. The time to act is now,” he stated.
One of the central points of Salako’s address was the issue of health workforce migration, a significant concern for Nigeria and many African countries.
He said in spite of the continent producing some of the world’s best-trained healthcare professionals, many of these individuals sought better opportunities abroad, putting additional pressure on local health systems.
He called for strategies to incentivise healthcare workers to stay while ensuring that migration benefited both countries of origin and destination.
Salako also proposed legally binding agreements between African nations and countries receiving professionals, urging destination nations to contribute more to the development of Africa’s healthcare infrastructure.
Salako also underscored the importance of strengthening credentialing systems to maintain public trust in healthcare services.
He advocated for transparent frameworks that ensured only qualified professionals provide care.
Furthermore, he stressed the need for effective, consistent systems to address practitioner malpractice, which could erode trust in healthcare professionals.
He called on regulators to balance discipline with opportunities for rehabilitation, ensuring patient safety remained a priority.
The minister also addressed the critical role of data management in modern healthcare regulation, urging the use of enhanced digital health platforms to improve data sharing and decision-making.
“Without accurate data, we cannot track workforce trends or respond effectively to health challenges,” he remarked.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to improving healthcare under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, highlighting significant investments in the health sector, including funding for regulatory bodies and healthcare infrastructure.
Prof. Afolabi Lesi, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s role in hosting the AMCOA workshop.
He acknowledged the leadership of AMCOA and the General Assembly for approving Nigeria to host the event.
Lesi emphasised the importance of integrated healthcare regulation and leadership at this crucial time, given the ongoing challenges such as workforce migration, healthcare worker burnout, and insufficient infrastructure.
He stressed that collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals were essential to address these challenges and improve the quality of healthcare systems across the continent.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AMCOA workshop provides a valuable platform for healthcare regulators and experts from across Africa to exchange knowledge and develop strategies for building stronger, more resilient health systems.
The event marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s engagement with AMCOA and its commitment to advancing healthcare regulation in Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
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