By Michael Ezenwata
The 2026 Nigeria Medical Association Anambra State Chapter has successfully delivered its scientific conference/6th Emeritus Prof. Festus Nwako Memorial Lecture in Nnewi.
The AGM/Scientific Conference deliberated on the theme,”The Future Of Medicine In Nigeria: Doctors As System Architects, Innovation, Workforce Sustainability And Universal Health Survival’, and the sub theme,”Medicine Under Pressure: Insecurity, Violence Against Healthcare workers, Work force Migration And The Struggle For Healthcare Survival.’
The Guest Speaker for the emeritus Prof. Nwako 6th memorial lecture and former acting Vice Chancellor of Unizik Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu spoke of the assisted reproductive health technology as a success story and a reality which has put smiles among hitherto childless married couples and those seeking for male children.
According to Prof. Ikechebelu the founder of the Life International Hospital, infertility among couples is not a curse or death sentence but can be reversed through advanced medical technology which he has used as a medical doctor to save many failing marriages.
Leveraging on the hope and assuring biblical God’s promise to Abraham that by this time in nine month’s time, his wife Sarah shall bear a son as recorded in the book of Genesis Chapter 18 verse 10, the guest lecturer advised couples with complicated reproductive health issues, to take advantage of the available health advances which also involve the use of surrogate mothers to carry pregnancies for childless couples, and the artificial intelligence innovation to change their lives for the better.
In a message to the occasion, a former Anambra State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association Dr. Jane Ezeonu spoke on the sub theme of the scientific conference which anchored on insecurity and the mass exodus of Nigerian doctors seeking for greener pastures overseas.
According to Dr. Ezeonu, insecurity in Nigeria is affecting the medical practice and has occasioned doctors migration to other parts of the world.
The former NMA boss urged governments at all levels to provide the enabling environment safe,secured and conducive for doctors to practice their profession effectively.
The Head of Department, Surgery and Director, Centre for Urology Studies NAUTH Nnewi, Prof. Tim Uzoma Mbaeri designated to give a lecture on the main theme of the scientific conference, in a press statement, gave some of the highlights of his lecture to include the need to enlarge the scope of the universal health coverage to involve the presidents general of town unions in the state, seeking remedies to check the mass exodus of doctors for greener pastures, checking quackery in the medical profession, and innovations in modern medical practices.
On his part, Dr Richard Uwakwe of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University designated to deliver a lecture on the sub theme of the conference, urged the federal government to adopt a wholistic approach towards making the health sector a national treasury to arrest all the negativities militating against effective medical practices.
In a press interview during the scientific conference, Prof. O.A.Kalu of the Department of Medicine NAUTH Nnewi campus and the medical director, Golden Specialist Hospital Onitsha decried the insecured environment doctors operate under which hitherto was not the order of the day.
Prof. Kalu pressed for enhanced security and better working conditions for doctors in Nigeria.
Dr. Joe Akabuike the former CMD, COOUTH in another press interview, expects the federal government to wade in seriously into the insecurity issue in Nigeria to make the environment safe for medical practice.
In another message, a former Awka Zonal Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (2018- 2020) Dr.Patrick Ezeno spoke on the sub theme of the conference and urged doctors to take care of themselves, socialize and involve in activities that will promote their well being.
Dr. Ezeno expects the federal government to be sincere in addressing the insecurity situation in Nigeria to enhance medical practice.
During the scientific conference, a former Anambra State legislator, Barr. Dr. I.J. Nwokeji felicitated with the NMA and used the forum to appreciate the innovations in the medical practice through the assisted reproductive technology.
The occasion featured award presentations to the Vice Chancellor of Unizik Professor Bond Anyaehie, the CMD Of COOUTH Dr.Maureen Umeakuewulu among others.
Michael Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
