Posted on: Fri 19-07-2024

Preamble  

The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) is the umbrella body of all female Medical and Dental Doctors in Nigeria. MWAN is affiliated with the Medical Women's International Association and her motto is: '

‘Matris Animo Current' - ‘Healing with the love of a mother’. MWAN was established in Nigeria in 1976 and has branches in the thirty-six States and the Federal Capital Territory. Her aim is to improve the | health of Nigerians with an emphasis on women and children through advocacy, education, and service delivery, MWAN conceptualized and cohosted the maiden edition of the African Women in Medicine, Health and Wellness Conference with Focus Africa a leading conference organiser in Africa. '

Objectives  

This conference brought together experts and stakeholders in the health sector from laboratories, research, medicine, and NGOs to collaborate and network for prompt diagnosis and care.

Delegates came from across Africa including Cameroun and Nigeria - Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists, and Researchers had the opportunity for Networking, | Exhibitions, Workshops, Media engagement, Training sessions and Meetings.

Conference output  

The 2-day conference was held on the 27th and 28th of June 2024 at the NAF Conference Centre, Jahi, Abuja with over a thousand (574 physical) and 540 (virtual) participants registered The Chairman of the occasion, Sen. Prince Ned Munir Nwoko was represented by Dr Michael Nwoko noted in his speech that the MWAN National President through her relentless advocacy is strengthening collaborations. |

He encouraged all members of her team to work continuously with her to achieve greater strides. He enjoined the participants that together ‘we can create a future where prompt diagnosis and comprehensive care are available to everyone, and where holistic health and well-being are prioritised.

The theme was Strengthening Networks for Prompt Diagnosis and Care while the Subtheme was  Eliminating Cervical Cancer & "Promoting Holistic Health and Well-being ' The Keynote Speaker, HE Dame Dr. Palibo Harry Banigo noted that the theme of this maiden edition of the conference is timely and critical to enhance healthcare delivery across the African continent. She said the theme and subthemes highlight vital aspects of our collective mission to improve health outcomes and well-being for all Africans. 

The Distinguished Senator and Chairman House Committee on Health stressed the Legislative Health Agenda of the 10th National Assembly which among other issues, recognized the need fo lake Necessary measures to improve the mobilisation and retention of human resources for health which is vital to drive innovations in service delivery, and achieve laudable health outcomes. She urged MWAN, Focus African and all participants, to engage fully, share knowledge and experiences, and forge new partnerships that will drive our collective mission forward, reminding us all that our work today shapes the future of healthcare in Africa. Senator Dr Banigo concluded by thanking MWAN and Focus Africa for putting the event together.  

Symposium and plenary sessions were held on the theme and subthemes. ' The symposium on Adolescent Nutrition as a tool for improving learning Outcomes was delivered by Dr Osita Okonkwo, Country Director of Nutrition International who made a call for action on Adolescent health and nutrition and for participants to become nutrition advocates and champions. He emphasized the need for advocacy on adolescent nutrition to ensure they are healthy. Some of the facts and recommendations are included.

50% per cent of adolescents are stunted, >30% obese and living with NCD, mostly fast growing so need to be focused on.

Weekly folic acid and iron are to be added to the essential medicine list for adolescent nutrition The need for calcium and magnesium supplements for adolescent girls especially because they are not meeting up with daily nutrition or physical activity. Healthy snacking was also encouraged. ;

Pharm. Adeku Adams representative of New Image made a presentation on the Science of Colostrum with the Topic: Colostrum and Wellbeing. He emphasized the importance of having our immune system optimal as every disease is a reflection of our Immune system. He introduced a Colostrum Nutritional Supplement called ALPHA LIPID. '

The session on Promoting Holistic Health Wellness and Wealth emphasized the importance of self-care for healthcare professionals. Experts in wellness and mindfulness shared practical tips, techniques, and resources for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, managing stress, and prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Pharm. Clarence Udoh a representative of ALPHA PHARMA did a presentation on Beautiful You Inside Preventing Post Operative Adhesion, '

The presentation on Women and ageing; Tips for staying Healthy by Dr Ogugua Osi Ogbulooked into the health of older women and how to maintain same. ' Alhaji Mohammad Sani Garba presented on Healthy living - organic foods, wellness and wealth, He  

explored the benefits of black and gold shea butter advocating for locally manufactured products. The session was summarized as DREAMS - Diet, healthy Relationships, Exercise. Avoidance of Substance Abuse, Mindfulness and Sleep. The session on Advancements in Diagnostics and Care Technologies was delivered by Dr Modupe Elebute Odunsi, Co-Founder and CEO, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist Hospital, where Participants innovated in changing the narrative for Cancer Care in Nigeria. Precision Medicine - Reclaiming the Future of Healthcare in Africa was delivered by Mrs. Yemisi Osakwe Research Operations Lead, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist Hospital. Participants had the opportunity to explore emerging trends, engage with cutting-edge technologies, and discuss the impact of these innovations on prompt diagnosis and patient care. They are committed to innovating and improving healthcare and human resources for health. Marcet Ruth Cancer Centre provides a one-stop shop for cancer care from screens to the entire range of treatment

The last session on day one was the plenary on Building Stronger Networks for Healthcare Professionals Experiences and Insights on Stronger Networks for Healthcare Professionals, moderated by Or Adedolapo Fasewe represented by Dr Ekaete. Panelists were Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, Founder/Chair Board of Trustees, Women in Health Care Network WIHCN; Dr Amy Traore-Shumbusho, Founding Member WIHCN, CEO of Smile 360 & Past President of the Nigerian Association of Orthodontists, Mrs Boroji Osindero, Founding Member, WIHCN & Clinical Director of Welipath Physiotherapy. They shared insights on building Strong Networks with women in Healthcare for a Healthy Mind, Mouth, and Body connection. Networks were formed amongst the participants - nursing and medical students, pharmacists, optometrists, doctors, wellness experts and healthy lifestyle advocates. Day 2 of the conference started with a presentation by the North-East Development Commission on the Topic: Optimizing Health Outcomes in The North-East Post insurgency. Presented by Dr. Fatima Ari and Or Batulu Mohammad.

Dr. Chisaa Onyekachi Technical Manager at DCL spoke on the Topic: Multi-stakeholder Engagement for HPV Vaccine in Nigeria. She emphasised the importance of advocacy, sensitization and community mobilization. Strategies for Advocacy, Sensitization and Mobilization of the Phase of HPV Vaccine Introduction in Nigeria (The CSO Perspective) was presented by Barr. Chinyere Stella the president of Supporting Women and Girls

Initiative, also a CSO in Imo State. She shed light on how tactics in generating activities from the CSO'swere different for every region. Building Stronger Networks for Healthcare Professionals and Updating knowledge from leaming from the Field Presented by Chief Moji Makanjuola alongside her panelist Dr Chizoba Wonodi, Dr Muyi Aina, represented by OrAhmed Rufai, and Dr Amina Dorayi  

The panel discussion on Leveraging Existing Platforms for Cervical Cancer Screening was moderated by Dr Chizoba Wonodi the Country Director of IVAC/DCL, Her Excellency Dr Zainab Bagudu of Medicaid, Dr Ahmed Rufai, the Director of Disease Control of the NPHCDA, Prof. Rosemary Ogu, MWAN National President and National President of Nigeria Cancer Society, Dr Alhassan Umar all emphasized the role of collaboration in the success of the just concluded Phase 2 HPV Vaccine roll out. They asserted that early detection and vaccination are critical in the elimination of cervical cancer and the reduction of the burden. Issues around late presentation, cost of treatment and out-of-pocket payments, and poor motivation of health workers were addressed noting the role of government and that of individual health workers, that gathering was also an issue as there is no central database of screening, pre-cancerous cases done by NGOs at community levels since most data are facility-based. NCS was mandated to work on this to aid decision making by policy players. The closing ceremony unveiled the Focus Africa Magazine whose front page was adorned by the National President, Prof. Rosemary Ogu. MWAN also celebrated and gave excellence in healthcare awards to seven recipients viz:

• Christopher Otabor Founder/MD Alliance Hospital Abuja.
• Her Excellency Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Founder ‘And CEO of Medicaid
• Her Excellency Mrs Alanyingi Sylva, Founder, Centre for Gender Values and Culture
• Her Excellency Rev (Mrs.) Eyoanwan itam Bassey Out, Founder Humanity without Borders Empowerment Initiative
• Dr Magdalene Ajani. Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Office of the Head of Service, Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Dr Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat.
• Prof Fru Angwato. President of the North West Regional Council, Cameroon.

Appreciation

We thank our conference organizers, Focus Africa, for the support and Quaii-Health for providing IT and technical support. MWAN is grateful to the Government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Women Affairs, FCT Secretariat for Health Services and Environment, the Senate Committee on Health and other Government Agencies.

We appreciate immensely the support of our partners and sponsors, the management of Marcelle Ruth Specialist Hospital, Women in Health Care Network (WIHCN), Nutrition International, Gus Care, Ethereal, ProHealth International, Fibroid Care Centre @ Nordica, Aloha Pharmacy, Medicaid, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and Go Nature NG. To the MWAN Board of Trustees, Past National Presidents. all MWAN State Presidents and members, and the core National Executive who served as moderators and repertoires, we couldn't have done this without your support. Let us continue to heal with the love of a mother.

SOURCE: VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

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