Medical experts to discuss health workers shortage, maternal deaths at colloquium

Medical experts and policy stakeholders are set to examine the growing challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system, including shortage of health workers, rising epidemic threats and persistent maternal deaths.

The concerns will form the focus of the maiden Biannual Presidential Colloquium of the Academy of Medical Sciences scheduled for July 30, 2026, in Lagos.

The colloquium, themed, “Nigeria’s Health at a Crossroad, Confronting Workforce Shortages, Epidemic Risks, and Maternal Mortality,” is expected to provide recommendations on addressing critical gaps affecting healthcare delivery in the country.

This was contained in a statement by the Academy Secretary, Mayowa Owolabi, on Wednesday.

Owolabi said the meeting would bring together medical professionals, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s health sector challenges.

He said the event would be delivered by its President, Emeritus Professor Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie, a Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The statement noted that discussions would centre on vulnerabilities within the country’s healthcare architecture, particularly the declining availability of skilled health workers, preparedness for disease outbreaks and the burden of maternal mortality.

Giwa-Osagie stated, “The colloquium themed ‘Nigeria’s Health at a Crossroad: Confronting Workforce Shortages, Epidemic Risks, and Maternal Mortality’ will be delivered by the President, Emeritus Professor Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie, FAMeds, OON (Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology).

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“This seminal event, which is structured to address critical vulnerabilities within the national healthcare architecture, will be held on Thursday, 30th of July, 2026 by 10.00am prompt (guests are to be seated by 9:30am) at The Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos.”

Nigeria has continued to grapple with challenges in healthcare delivery, including the migration of medical professionals, inadequate manpower and poor access to quality healthcare services, especially in underserved communities.

The Academy of Medical Sciences said the outcome of the discussion would contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare policies and improve health outcomes in Nigeria.y

He stated, “To provide multidisciplinary perspectives and strategic apolicy recommendations, the Academy has assembled a distinguished panel of experts. They are Professor Adetokunbo.O. Fabamwo, FAMedS (Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Ikeja), Professor Obinna Onwujekwe, FAMedS (Professor of Health Economics and Policy, and Pharmacoeconomics, UNN), Distinguished Professor Akin Osibogun, FAMedS (Professor of Community Health & Primary Care, CMUL/LUTH) and Dr. Jide Idris [Public Health Expert & Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

“The event will deliberate on sustainable solutions for the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”

The academy, formerly known as the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, was incorporated in June 2019 as an independent body providing expert advice on medical matters, education, research and public health.

It is Nigeria’s apex body in the academic and scientific field of medicine and a member of the InterAcademy Partnership, a global network of scientific academies.