Posted on: Thu 11-06-2026

Preambles: The 48th International Conference & Annual General Meeting of ANPMP tagged Garden City 2026 was held from 20th to 26th April, 2026 with Pre-conference events that progressed to the Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting.

The Theme of the Conference was: Enhancing Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: The Role of Private Medical Practitioners.

 

The Sub theme were:

1. Innovative Approach to Patient care: Advancing clinical and best practices in private medical practice.
2. Addressing the Burden of Non communicable Diseases (NCDs): Strategic interventions, prevention, and management within private sector.
3. Sustainable Growth and Development: Evaluating business models, financial sustainability, and institutional scaling for private healthcare providers.
4. Quality, Safety & Standardization: Strengthening clinical governance and patient safety standard in Nigeria healthcare.
5.  
6. The Andem Ewa lecture was delivered by Sir Dr. Peter Odili, CON, former governor of Rivers, State (represented by Prof. Enyidah Nonyenim Solomon,mni), while the keynote address was delivered by Chief (Dr.) Emi Membere-Otaji FNIM,OON.

The event was graciously honored with the presence of the following dignitaries:

1. The Governor of Rivers State, HE Sir Siminalayi Fubara ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Prof. Mrs Ngozi Nma Odu, DSSRS.
2. Honorable Minister of State of Health, Dr Isiaq Adekunle represented by Prof. Chituru Orluwene, CMD UPTH
3. HE Dr. Peter Odili, Former governor of Rivers State represented by Prof. Enyindah.
4. Dr. Innocent Ekwem, DMP. The Chairman of the occasion, Ezeugo Ndigbo of Rivers and Bayelsa State, CMD Ebonyi Hospital Ltd.
5. Chief of Naval Staff represented by the Surgeon Captain Dr. V.C. Igboezue
6. HRM King Dr. Samuel Ndiwe Amaechi, Agwuru Anwirinwu II, Onyishi Agu Igbo Kingdom Etche LGA & Chief Medical Director Nobsam Hospital.
7. The NMA President, Prof Audu Bala, represented the NMA Vice President I, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu.
8. The NMA Chairman Rivers State, Dr Tamunokuro Diamond.
9. Prof. Justina Atonye Jumbo, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, represented by Dr. Jaja
10. Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu President, Society of Family Physician of Nigeria, represented by Dr. Simon Uriah DCMD RSUTH.
11. Dr. Chubuzor George, President of Nigerian Optometrist Association, represented.
12. DF, National Institute of Cancer Research and Treatment, represented by Dr. Arisegi Sharafadeen Adenyi.
13. Muyi Aina, Executive Director NPHCDA, represented by Dr. Festus Ossai.

 

Pre-conference activities

1. Courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Rivers State Prof. (Mrs.) Justina Atonye Jumbo.
2. Courtesy visit to the immediate Past President of ANPMP, Amb. Dr. Iyke Odo.
3. Courtesy visit to a medical elder, Dr. Okey Ibeabuchi, the CMD of Palmars Hospital Ltd.
4. Courtesy visit to CEO of the Ibeto Groups, Dr Cletus M Ibeto, CON.
5. Ultrasound training & Master class facilitated by Dr. Festus Ossai.
6. At the end of the Conference/AGM the following Observations and Resolutions were reached.

OBSERVATIONS

1. The purpose of setting up National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Sector NEMSAS is to reduce mortality by ensuring emergency cases get prompt care without the bottle neck of payment for care. The current policy that states that only cases brought to NEMSAS Accredited Facilities by Accredited Ambulance are entiled to reimbursement constitutes, an obstacle to the goals set out for achievement since most emergencies are usually taken to the nearest facility by neighbours/passers by, with any available means of transportation.
2. We acknowledge the efforts and achievement of the present National Health Insurance Authority team led by the Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri. The Level of coverage is still however, far from satisfactory if we are ever going to attain the Universal Health Coverage desired.
3. The current middleman ship role of the HMOs in our Health Insurance project, is negatively impacting not only on patient experience but, also on the quality of healthcare.
4. The Persistent loss of manpower in the health sector to greener pastures.
5. Progressive increase in the level of intimidation and harassment of doctors, most especially private practitioners by law enforcement agents, which has negatively impacted service delivery and professional practice, if left unchecked, will worsen the current brain drain and further adversely affect the health of the people.
6. The ANPMP Congress observed with trepidation, the worsening insecurity in the country with the attendant kidnapping and killing of some medical practitioners and the negative impact on healthcare delivery system.
7. High cost of medical supplies translating to high cost of medical services and care despite the increasing level of poverty among citizens. This has continued to negatively impact on the population where majority are still out of pocket patients.
8. High cost of power supply which adds not less than 40%, to the overhead cost of running hospitals, has remained a major hindrance to quality healthcare delivery in the country.
9. Multiple Taxation: Members observed with concern, the unabating growing burdens of multiple taxation imposed by various levels of government, various agendas and regulatory bodies on medical facilities and medical practitioners.
10. Increased rate of Quackery and its serious effect on the health of the citizens. This increase was observed as attributable partly to the economic situation in the country and party to the fact that the regulatory bodies over concentrate their attention on registered practitioners and most times , deliberately avoid any engagement with the quacks.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

1. ANPMP Congress calls on the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, our indefatigable Prof Alli Pate and his counterpart, Dr. Iziaw Kunle Salako, Hon. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, to prevail on those in charge of NEMSAS, to expand the coverage of benefitting patients, of the NEMSAS Project since more than 95% are brought in emergencies, by any available means. This should be the practice until enough ambulance and facilities are accredited.
2. It was agreed that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), should consider practice without the use of middlemen, the Health Maintenance Organisation, HMOs, as being practiced in many civilized countries.
3. Registration of Enrollees directly through health facilities should be encouraged and supported by NHIA.
4. Government should put up a legislation that will prevent law enforcement agents from carrying out arbitrary arrest, intimidation and extortion of medical doctors in the course of carrying out their legitimate duty. We strongly advocate for a law that protects the Rights of Health Workers.
5. Government should adopt more proactive approach in the fight against quackery.
6. Government should stop politicizing the Nigeria National Prescription and Dispensing Rights. These Rights should be based on appropriate Constitutional, Statutory and Ethical Framework and should be made to ensure Professional accountability, legal integrity and patient safety leading to automatic quackery reduction.
7. Government to come up with favourable policies to encourage Private Health Sector investment rather than the current practices of Multiple Taxation that constitutes a discouraging factor for investment in Private Practice and rather worsening factor to the japa phenomenon.
8. Incentives like Grants, Tax Relief, Reduction in import Duties on medical supplies, Health Bank creation, Single Digit Loans etc. should be embarked upon by the Government to enhance Healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
9. Government is hereby called upon to be more decisive in dealing with the security situation in this country. Special attention must also be paid to the protection of all Health workers as we are being made soft targets more than any other group.
10. The current Nigeria Power for Health Initiative, NPHI, targeting provision of different form of renewable energy, is a welcomed development. It must however NOT be allowed to go the way of several energy, is a welcomed development. It must however NOT be allowed to go the way of several other lofty projects of the Government that got implemented to the absolute exclusion of the private Health sector that caters for more than 65% of the citizens. We are worried already that 100% of the effects of the NPHI, has so far benefitted only the Public-health facilities.

 

AWARDS

A. National Patrons

1. Dr. Okpala Benedict Chibueze
2. Dr. Emi Membere Otaji

 

B. Distinguished Medical Practitioners (DMP)

1. Dr. Adesola, Kayode Adekunle
2. Dr. Sadiq, Mansur Adebowale
3. Dr. Ademoh, Suleiman
4. Dr. Akinlade, Benedict Adedeji
5. Dr. Oyelade Oluwakayode Olakunle
6. Chief. Dr. Oghoghorie, Patrick Lucky
7. Dr. Omololu Martins Adedeni
8. Dr. Onyenaucheya, Okechukwu Julius
9. Dr. Anyanwuocha Kennedy Ihenacho
10. Hon. Dr. Samuels Eleojo Oyibo Nathaniel

 

C. Fellows of the Association of General Practice (FAGP)

1. Prof. Eweoya Olugbenga Olawale
2. Dr. Ikejiaku Ifedugba Michael
3. Dr. Ayang, Julius Abeng
4. Dr. Nyamali, Veronica Oluyemisi
5. Dr. Jibrin, Salami Abdullahi
6. Dr. Ibrahim, Kadri Bamidele

 

CONCLUSION

Congress reaffirmed the vital role of private medical practitioner in strengthening Nigeria's healthcare system and pledged continued collaboration with government and stakeholders to improve access to quality healthcare. ANPMP appreciates all dignitaries, speakers, delegates, sponsors, partners, organizers, and members whose contributions ensured the success of Garden City 2026

 

Dr. Ernest Chukwuma.

President

 

Dr Gbadebo Adebiyi

Secretary General

 

Dr. Abdullah, Nasir,

Publicity Secretary

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