By Chinenye Anuforo
The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) has called for urgent reforms to address Nigeria’s widening healthcare gaps, warning that millions risk being left behind without decisive policy action and stronger partnerships.
Speaking at the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Annual General Meeting in Calabar, AMCE’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Aisha Umar, stressed that the country’s health inequalities remain a pressing challenge that demand both political commitment and structural change.
“Africa bears 25% of the global disease burden but has less than 3% of the world’s health workers. These figures are not mere statistics , they represent mothers, children, and entire communities left without the care they deserve,” Umar said.
She pointed to the AMCE in Abuja, opened in June 2025 with the support of Afreximbank, the Nigerian government, and other strategic partners, as a blueprint for transformation. The centre, which currently operates 170 beds and plans to expand to 500, offers advanced treatment in oncology, cardiovascular medicine, haematology, and surgical services, while also serving as a regional hub for training and innovation.
According to Umar, bridging Nigeria’s health divide requires more than new facilities. She called for deliberate policy reforms, multisectoral collaboration, and investment in local professionals to ensure that Nigerian doctors and nurses can thrive at home rather than seek opportunities abroad.
“Let today be a turning point , a moment when we commit to building a health system that works for all Nigerians, where our doctors and nurses thrive at home, and world-class care becomes the rule, not the exception,” she urged.
Delegates at the NMA gathering welcomed her message, which underscored that closing Nigeria’s healthcare gaps is not only a matter of resources, but of sustained political will and bold reform.