By Uzairu Dauda:
Medical women have been described as the bedrock of health system strengthening in Nigeria, despite being underrepresented in leadership and decision-making positions.
The National President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr. Zainab Kwaru, stated this during the National Executive Council Meeting of the association held in Bauchi State.
Dr. Kwaru noted that women constitute about 70 percent of the health workforce, yet face structural barriers that limit their advancement into leadership roles.
She stressed that empowering and elevating women into decision-making positions is critical to improving healthcare delivery, policy formulation, and resource allocation.
She expressed concern over Nigeria’s persistently high maternal mortality ratio, which exceeds 500 deaths per 100,000 live births, far above the Sustainable Development Goals target. According to her, increased investment in mentorship, capacity building, and platforms that amplify women’s voices is essential to reversing the trend.
In his remarks, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, represented by the Executive Chairman of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Muhammad Sambo Alkali, acknowledged women doctors as pillars of the nation’s health system.
Dr Dambam pledged the state government’s commitment to collaborating with MWAN to improve antenatal care attendance, promote hospital deliveries, and reduce maternal mortality.
He also assured greater inclusion of women in health sector leadership.
Earlier, the Bauchi State President of MWAN, Dr. Umma Hani Ja’afaru, said the association is actively creating awareness on postpartum hemorrhage, breast and cervical cancer, antenatal care, and skilled birth delivery.
She expressed optimism that hosting the national meeting would boost the morale of women doctors in the state and position Bauchi as a model for women-centered healthcare.
The keynote speaker, Professor Clara Ladi Ejembi, urged women doctors to adopt a holistic approach to women’s health across all stages of life, particularly during pregnancy. She emphasized the importance of skilled birth attendance and strengthened primary healthcare, lamenting that Universal Health Coverage for women remains largely ineffective in practice.
She called for greater equity, financial support for women, and inclusion of persons living with disabilities in health planning.
Professor Ejembi encouraged women doctors to continue serving as role models, upholding professionalism, compassion, and excellence in their practice.
