26/10/2026
OPENING CEREMONY OF PHYSICIANS' WEEK ENDS WITH A CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITIZE DOCTORS' WELFARE
..NMA-AKS Signs MOU With Mikano International Limited For Affordable Vehicles For Doctors..Honours Health Commissioner, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John
The Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Physicians' Week of the Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State Branch, ended with a strong call on Government and all stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of doctors at all levels in order to secure the future of medicine in Nigeria.
The call was made by the Chairman of the Association, Dr. Tiemah Ntiense Akpabio, during her welcome address to mark the Opening Ceremony of the Physicians' Week at the NMA Secretariat, Uyo.
While appreciating the Akwa Ibom State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for its massive investments in the health sector including massive recruitment of health workers across secondary and primary healthcare facilities, payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to resident doctors, renovation and equipping of General Hospitals and Primary Health Centres, steady payment of salaries and allowances, support for the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA), sustained support for Ibom Medical College and training of medical students, and overall commitment to the ARISE Agenda in healthcare delivery, Dr. Akpabio called on the State Government to do more.
She called for the extension of the working age of health workers in Akwa Ibom State to 65 years to retain skilled and experienced personnel, implementation of competitive enhanced CONMESS, provision of utility vehicles and affordable housing schemes for doctors, sustenance of MRTF, enforcement of zero tolerance for assault on doctors with adequate security in all health facilities, increase in admission quota and residency training positions, and introduction of special allowances for scarce specialties like Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nephrology, Oncology and Intensive Care.
The Chairman of the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Nsikak Udokang, in his opening remarks, described the Nigerian doctor as a brave warrior with many obstacles, emphasizing that the reality of the situation is beyond brain drain but brain haemorrhage. He noted that Nigeria is bleeding highly skilled manpower and offered useful ideas to help curb the obvious challenges including improved welfare packages, provision of modern equipment, mentorship, and creation of an enabling environment for doctors to practise.
Delivering the keynote address, the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Etete Peters, highlighted typical challenges facing the Nigerian health system including chronic underfunding, brain drain, decaying infrastructure, weak primary healthcare, low health insurance pe*******on and poor working conditions. He offered practical strategies to overcome them including increased budgetary allocation to health, revitalization of primary health care, deliberate retention strategies for health workers, embracing technology and public-private partnerships, and purposeful leadership and policy consistency.
On her part, the Sub-Theme One Speaker, Dr. Idongesit Umoh, speaking on "Saving the Savers: Promoting Physicians' Wellbeing and Preventing Burnout, Cardiovascular Disease and Premature Deaths," called on physicians to heal themselves. She revealed alarming statistics that showed high rates of burnout, anxiety, depression, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases among doctors leading to premature deaths. She called on doctors to prioritize regular medical check-ups, work-life balance, healthy lifestyle, peer support, and early help-seeking behaviour.
Furthermore, Dr. Christie Akwaowo, Consultant Public Health Physician at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, who delivered Sub-Theme Two, "Transforming Medicine: Harnessing Digital Health, Innovation and Future-Ready Medical Education," provided practical steps to improving healthcare delivery by embracing digital innovation like AI integration in diagnosis and clinical decision-making, telemedicine, Electronic Medical Records, health information systems, and simulation-based medical education to produce future-ready doctors.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the signing of an MOU of partnership with Mikano International Limited to provide affordable brand-new vehicles for doctors with flexible payment plans and exclusive discounted prices for NMA-AKS members, and a grand reception in honour of the multiple award-winning Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, on his recent recognitions as Civil Servant of the Year and Most Outstanding MDA.
Speaking shortly after receiving the honour, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, reaffirmed his commitment to the Nigerian Medical Association, stating that he will uphold the ethics of the medical profession and will continue to support the progress of the Association.
While performing the cutting of the ribbon to signify the partnership between NMA-AKS and Mikano International Limited on behalf of the Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency the Governor, Dr. Ekem appreciated the NMA-AKS leadership led by Dr. Tiemah Ntiense Akpabio for such innovative ideas which he noted will assist doctors to own brand-new vehicles without undue financial strain.
While thanking NMA-AKS for the honour given to him which he said he is not taking for granted, he called on members to imbibe professional ethics, uphold discipline, show commitment to service, and support government efforts to reposition the health sector.
The Opening Ceremony was engaging and well attended, with discussions centred on securing the future of medicine in Nigeria.
Signed:
Dr. Utomobong Udoh
Public Relations Officer,
Nigerian Medical Association,
Akwa Ibom State Branch