The Center for Health Education and Life Promotion (C-HELP) in collaboration with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) hosted its 5th Annual Health Summit with the theme “Rebranding The Nigerian System Towards And Within A New Nigeria Of Our Collective Dream”. The event was held on October 27th, 2022, and featured a road walk on Saturday, October 29th, led by Her Excellency, the wife of the Kebbi State Governor and Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation.
C-HELP is passionate about identifying care gaps in the Nigerian health system and finding sustainable ways to bridge them. The annual health summit is one way to achieve that goal. This year’s event was unique in that it was primarily held online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the virtual format did not detract from the success of the summit, which featured robust presentations and discussions on a variety of topical health issues.
The event’s primary aim was to create awareness and improve the body of knowledge needed to achieve the ultimate goal of reversing medical tourism in Nigeria. The summit covered various sub-themes, including cancer: an overview, cancer immunotherapy, bridging the cancer care gap in Nigeria, the value of research in rebranding the Nigerian health system, and the place of clinical trials in an emerging health system.
Seasoned experts led each session, providing valuable insights into the challenges facing the Nigerian health system and ways to overcome them. For example, Dr. Samuel Otene provided an overview of cancer, while Dr. Ridwan Ahmed discussed cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Kajogbola talked about the Asi-Ukpo Dream, a comprehensive cancer diagnostic center in Calabar, and the future of cancer care in Nigeria.
Other sessions included a talk on the value of research in rebranding the Nigerian health system by Prof. Ahmed Mohammed and a discussion on the place of clinical trials in an emerging health system led by Tengu Muna.
In addition to the health summit, C-HELP supported the Medicaid Cancer Foundation Road Walk in Abuja as part of its 7th Cancer Awareness Campaign. The road walk aimed to raise awareness of the prevalence of cancer in Nigeria and the importance of early detection and treatment.
Overall, the event was a resounding success, achieving its goal of raising awareness and improving the body of knowledge needed to reverse medical tourism in Nigeria. C-HELP hopes that the summit’s impact will be felt for years to come, with a reduction in medical tourism and improved healthcare outcomes for all Nigerians.
EVENT FLOW (Guide) 1a. Opening Prayer 1b. National Anthem 2. Opening remarks – Dr. Popoola Margaret O – 5mins 3. The Keynote Address – Dr. Zainab Kwaru Mohammed – Idris – 25mins 4. Cancer: An Overview – Dr. Samuel Otene – 25mins Questions – 5mins 5. Cancer Immunotherapy – Dr. Ridwan Ahmed. 25mins Questions – 5mins 6. Bridging the Cancer Care Gap in Nigeria – The Asi-Ukpo Dream – Dr. Kajogbola – 25mins (ASI – UKPO DIAGNOSTIC COMPREHENSIVE CENTRE, CALABAR -THE NOW AND THE FUTURE) Questions – 5mins 7. The Value of Research in Rebranding the Nigerian Health System – Prof. Ahmed Mohammed – 25mins Questions – 5mins 8. The Place of Clinical Trials in an Emerging Health System: The Gains and the Challenges. – Tengu Muna – 25mins Questions – 5mins 9. Closing Remarks – 5mins Moderators: 1. Dr. Lekan Oladimeji 2. Mr. Pokyes Kavwam 3. Dr. Aisha Mustapha 4. Prof. Elizabeth Nwasor 5. Dr. Bilqis Mohammed 6. Dr. Hauwa N. Madugu 7. Mr. Seth Thomas. 8. Dr. Tessy Ahmadu.