The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has challenged paediatric surgeons to develop practical, implementable solutions to improve child healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria (Abuja Chapter) on Thursday, Mahmoud emphasized her office’s commitment to supporting policies that enhance paediatric surgical care nationwide.In a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Austine Elemue, the minister acknowledged systemic challenges like infrastructure gaps and workforce shortages but highlighted opportunities through innovation, training, and government reforms.
“I urge participants to focus on practical solutions and actionable recommendations to enhance policy and clinical practice,” Mahmoud stated. “My office is open to ongoing dialogue to improve child health services in the FCT and beyond.”She praised the surgeons for their dedication to training and research while stressing the importance of preventive care and stronger inter-professional collaboration to reduce late hospital presentations.
Echoing the urgency for reform, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Philip Mshelbwala, highlighted Nigeria’s critical shortage of paediatric surgeons. He noted that the FCT and Nasarawa State have only 15 specialists serving a combined population of approximately 4.3 million—half of whom are children.
“This falls well below World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations,” Mshelbwala stated.
He assured that the association remains committed to bridging this gap through “knowledge sharing, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving.”
The minister pledged closer collaboration with professional bodies to expand healthcare access, improve referral systems, and ensure timely surgical interventions for children across urban and rural communities.
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