The 2026 Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Anambra State Physicians’ Week has commenced with a call on Medical Doctors to prioritise their own health to be able to save their patients.
The event, held at the NMA House, Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Onitsha, with the theme: “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria” and the sub-theme: “Saving the Savers: Promoting Physicians’ Well-being and Preventing Burnout, Cardiovascular Disease and Premature Death” provided a platform for confronting challenges threatening the profession, and raising awareness for preventive healthcare among doctors.
In his opening speech, the Chairman, NMA, Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Ndubuisi Arua said the annual event is a time to celebrate the resilience, dedication and compassion that define the medical profession amidst numerous challenges confronting healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Dr. Arua noted that Physicians’ Week is marked l with routine activities all over the federation and across all zones of the state such as: visit to the Sick and Aged members; Charity Visits to Orphanage Homes, Health talks/Medical outreaches; Indoor/Outdoor sporting events; Annual Luncheon and Award Ceremony and ending with Rededication/Thanksgiving Services, calling on members to see the week as a time to unwind.
Declaring the 2026 Physicians’ Week open, the Vice Chairman of NMA, Anambra State Chapter, Prof. Samuel Umeononihu said the future of Medicine in Nigeria is at a crossroad, pointing out that doctors in the diaspora are doing exploits; but at home, the health system is stiffling their potentials, as they battle poor infrastructure, outdated equipment, severe manpower shortage and poor remuneration.
Prof. Umeononihu who is also the Local Organising Committee Chairman of the event questioned how the future of Medicine can be secured when the securers are leaving, hence the theme of the event.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Stanley Anyanwu who is the Pioneer Director, Centre for Surgical Oncology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, stated that the Japa syndrome has been a perennial problem for mankind, stressing the need for mentorship and enabling environment for young Doctors to stay in Nigeria.
Speaking on the theme “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria,” a Professor of Histopathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Victor Igwebuike Onyiaorah explained that medicine is holistic, as it is not just about what doctors do but also about what every other person who contributes to medicine does and other factors associated with health.
Prof. Onyiaorah further explained that sanitation which is preventive health, water security and food security contribute to the overall wellbeing of society, adding that insecurity, and other factors affecting the health of Nigerians should be taken care of, urging the government to work towards the 15% budgetary allocation to health as advised by the WHO and ensure judicious use of of the allocated funds for Nigerians to be healthier and better able to run the society.
Also speaking on the sub-theme, a Public Health Physician, Prof. Chigozie Ifeadike affirmed that doctors are so busy working for hours that they do not take care of themselves, even to the extent of skipping medical leave, sleeping in their clinics and not attending conferences, which leads to burnout, poor service delivery, poor efficiency and poor health.
Prof. Ifeadike called for a synergy among health providers and a conducive working environment for medical practitioners, calling on the government to increase the remuneration of Doctors to reduce the Japa syndrome
Other members of the NMA, Anambra State, including the Chairman, NMA Onitsha Zone, Dr. Christopher Okonkwo; the Co-Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Uzo Ezeokoli; Dr. Patrick Anyaeji; Dr. Vivian Onwuekwe; Dr. Levi Chukwu; and former Chairman, NMA Onitsha Zone and currently Chairman, Association of Private Medical Practitioners, Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Moses Ugwueke, said the theme of the Physicians’ Week is a wake-up call for government to do the needful to improve doctors’ welfare and for doctors to safeguard themselves by going for basic health checks and rest.
A nursing student of the College of Nursing, St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Shanahan University, Onitsha, Miss Jennifer Mekaowulu, who spoke on behalf of nursing students in attendance, pointed out that brain drain has increased workload for doctors who stayed back at the home front, adding that she hopes to contribute her quota someday to make the country better.
Presentation of awards of excellence to the guest speakers also featured.
