By Blessing Ajah
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Prof. Musa Dankyau, has called for a renewed approach to strengthen Family Medicine and Primary Care in Nigeria.
Dankyau said during the university’s 11th Inaugural Lecture on Tuesday in Karu that the foundation of effective healthcare depended on revitalising family medicine and primary care practice.
Dankyau, a Professor of Family Medicine and member of the National Health Community, delivered the lecture titled, “The Protean Nature of Family Medicine and Primary Care: Old Medicine for New Problems.
The professor argued that rising cases of hypertension, obesity, lifestyle-related diseases and multi-morbidity required a return to holistic and continuous care rooted in family medicine principles.
He said patient-centred care remained the most effective strategy for managing complex and chronic conditions, stressing that the future of healthcare depended on strengthening traditional medical values.
Drawing from his early career experience in the Niger Republic, Dankyau recalled that limited awareness of family medicine led many to assume he was a surgeon.
He explained that the misconception reflected poor understanding of the scope of family medicine, especially in settings where specialised primary care remained underdeveloped.
According to him, family physicians are uniquely equipped to manage multiple illnesses simultaneously, particularly in resource-limited environments.
Dankyau attributed the growing burden of hypertension and obesity to lifestyle changes, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity.
He emphasised the role of lifestyle medicine in prevention and long-term management of chronic diseases.
“It is of importance to note symptom management and the treatment of common diseases such as malaria, especially among vulnerable populations
“The effective care goes beyond prescriptions to include empathy, follow-up and patient education.
“The family medicine plays a critical role in managing patients with multiple co-existing conditions, where fragmented care often leads to poor outcomes,” he said.
He paid tribute to his late father, Mr Dankyau Mailafiya, for instilling discipline and values that shaped his career and character.
He also expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Bingham University, particularly the Department of Family Medicine, for their commitment to academic excellence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dankyau has over three decades of clinical and academic experience with more than 45 peer-reviewed publications.
The publications include; covering family medicine, primary healthcare, medical education, lifestyle medicine and chronic disease management.
NAN reports that the event attracted academics, medical professionals, students and guests, highlighting the growing relevance of family medicine in strengthening Nigeria’s health system.NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
