“Build the foundation for your future from now…” was the opening speech of Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NiMSA) 2-day International Health Summit held at Baze university Abuja on the 7th to 10th of October, 2021.
During his opening speech, he reminisced on his years as a medical student, all he did from then till now and how it transcended into his current political career. Thereby, advising the participants that the foundation starts from here and it shouldn’t be taken for granted but strongly built for a relevant and progressive (political) career. The summit was jointly opened with a welcome address from the NiMSA president – Umar Danbuba Mohammed.
Furthermore, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu – the first lady of Kebbi State, MD/CEO Medicaid Cancer (MCE) and Foundation board member, UICC – gave the keynote address on the theme of the summit titled, “Non communicable diseases in the COVID era; cancer as a case study”. During her speech she stated that – Non communicable disease kills 41 million people each year with late presentation, severe scarcity of radiotherapy with lack of awareness and funds as the leading causes. She also highlighted some lessons from the COVID-19 and cancer fight emphasizing on ways to contribute towards the continued achievement of cancer care amidst COVID and beyond; by building on advocacy, building of capacity for healthcare workers, development of infrastructures, collaboration for expansion of coverage, increasing cancer awareness and use of E-health and telemedicine for access to information and intervention – which has been significantly reduced by the COVID pandemic. In her words, Cancer is preventable by improving lifestyle and diet, curable by early detection and the treatment is to know your risks and prevent them.
Other dignitaries in attendance at the event on different panels included Dr. Mustapha Tukur and Dr. Safiru discussing “The role of the Association towards achieving universal health coverage”; Dr. Bature Mannir (NMA Chairman Zamfara) and the Bauchi State Commissioner for health discussing “The psychological effect of insurgency: A critical assessment of the IDPs”; Dr. Chinonso Egemba (Aproko Doctor), Daniel David Otobo and Manman Deborah discussing on “Adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights”.
The future will give you what you put in it. Get versatile. – Dr Chinonso Egemba aka. Aproko Doctor
The session with Dr. Godwin Akaba highlighted “the role of NiMSA in reducing the prevalence, morbidities and mortalities associated with unsafe abortion in Nigeria”. This is because unsafe abortion contributes at least 13% of the maternal mortality recorded in Nigeria with adolescents making a significant part of the population affected. Hence, NiMSAites were urged to play their part by joining others in creating awareness to reduce this menace as it affects all age groups. These include working towards improving healthcare, enlightening students on sexual and reproductive health rights, using social media to advocate against unsafe abortion and rigid abortion laws while collaborating with other organisations to create safe abortion programmes.
He concluded that all hands has to be on deck as everyone has a role to play in reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Also, Primary and secondary prevention measures such as comprehensive sexual education and contraceptives uses, with building capacity by groups on the consequences of unprotected sex and emergency contraception must be made available.
Finally, the students were advised to; get involved, get a mentor, apply yourself – your network is your net worth. Be radical to provide value everywhere you find yourself and do not be too comfortable.
About Contributors:
Faeren Cynthia Atsehe is a final year medical student from Benue State University, Currently serving as State representative for NMA WASH and can be connected via Instagram @Faeren Atsehe & LinkedIn @Faeran Cynthia Atsehe. Hibatullah Abdulkadir is a 500L medical student of Delta State University (DELSU). Currently serving as the president of her medical school – Delta State University Medical Students Association (DUMSA), and the Regional Coordinator for the NiMSA South-South Region. Can be connected via Instagram @hiba.abdulkadir & LinkedIn @Hibatullah Abdulkadir
