The Academy of Medical Sciences has expressed concern over Nigeria’s persistently high maternal mortality rate and growing epidemic threats, calling for urgent action to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
The President of the Academy, Prof. Frank Giwa-Osagie, made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Academy’s Secretary, Prof. Mayowa Owolabi.
Giwa-Osagie described deaths related to pregnancy, childbirth, and preventable newborn complications as unacceptable, stressing that such losses could be avoided with improved healthcare interventions.
“There is no need and no justification for the continued loss of lives related to pregnancy and childbirth,” he said.
He also urged authorities to improve the country’s preparedness for disease outbreaks, saying lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola, Lassa fever, and other recurring epidemics must not be ignored.
According to him, the Academy will address these challenges at its maiden biennial Presidential Colloquium scheduled for July 30 in Lagos.
The event, themed “Nigeria’s Health at a Crossroads: Confronting Workforce Shortages, Epidemic Risks and Maternal Mortality,” will bring together medical experts, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop practical solutions for strengthening healthcare delivery.
Giwa-Osagie said discussions would focus on improving disease prevention and emergency response systems, tackling maternal mortality, and addressing the continued migration of skilled health workers.
He noted that the persistent brain drain had significantly weakened Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, adding that experts at the colloquium would explore its root causes and recommend strategies to retain medical professionals in the country.
The Academy will also unveil its Rapid Response Committee Initiative, designed to support timely and coordinated responses to health emergencies nationwide.
The Academy of Medical Sciences is an independent professional body that provides objective advice on medical education, research, public health, and healthcare policy in Nigeria.
