By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has pledged stronger collaboration with professional bodies to improve access to child healthcare in the FCT, especially paediatric surgical care.
This is as the FCT and neighbouring Nasarawa State grapples with only 15 paediatric surgeons serving a combined population of 4.3 million people between both areas.
The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, who made the commitment while declaring open the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria, Abuja Chapter, acknowledged some of the challenges confronting the health sector, including limited infrastructure and shortages of skilled manpower.
The minister, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Austine Elemue, however pointed to new opportunities through technological innovation, training, and government reforms.
Mahmoud said paediatric surgeons play a critical role in safeguarding children’s health, stressing that their compassion, precision, and resilience are vital to national well-being.
She assured that the FCTA would work more closely with medical associations to strengthen referral systems and guarantee timely surgical interventions for children in both urban and rural areas.
While commending the association’s commitment to training, research, and mentorship, she stressed the need for stronger preventive measures and collaboration among healthcare professionals to reduce late presentation of cases.
She therefore urged participants to focus on practical solutions and actionable recommendations to enhance policy and clinical practice, assuring of her office’s openness to sustained dialogue on improving child health services in the FCT and beyond.
Earlier, chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Philip Mshelbwala, warned that Nigeria faces an acute shortage of paediatric surgeons, describing the situation as far below World Health Organization standards.
As a case in point he said, “the FCT and Nasarawa State have 15 paediatric surgeons for a combined population of approximately 4.3 million, with half being children. This falls well below World Health Organization, WHO, recommendations.”
He, however, assured that the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria remains committed to bridging the gap through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving.
