RismadarVoice Reporters, May 21, 2026
Medical practitioners have called on the government to improve working conditions and strengthen support for medical training as part of efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and retain professionals within Nigeria’s health sector.
The appeal was made during activities commemorating World Family Doctor Day in Benin City, Edo State, under the theme “Compassionate Care in a Digital World.”
The programme was organised by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and brought together healthcare professionals and stakeholders in the medical sector.
Speaking during the event, Consultant Family Physician and Head of the Department of Family Medicine at Irua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Dr Chidozie Affusim, highlighted the importance of balancing technological advancements with human compassion in healthcare delivery.
He explained that while digital tools and technological innovations have made medical practice more efficient, there is a growing concern that human interaction and empathy are gradually diminishing within healthcare systems.
According to him, compassion, dignity, emotional support, and respect remain essential aspects of patient care that contribute significantly to healing and overall well-being.
Affusim noted that family medicine emphasises preserving these human values even as technology becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare services.
Also speaking, Chairman of the event and Managing Director of Eco Hospital, Benin, Dr Obaze Matie, urged the government to create a safer and more supportive environment for healthcare professionals.
He stressed that security concerns and poor working conditions have contributed to the increasing migration of doctors and other professionals out of the country.
Matie stated that Nigeria currently faces a shortage of family physicians, resulting in additional responsibilities being placed on other medical specialists.
He described family medicine as one of the most cost-effective approaches to achieving universal healthcare coverage and argued that greater investment in training and retaining family physicians would strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.
He further called for policies aimed at encouraging professionals to remain in the country, noting that the loss of skilled workers continues to challenge the healthcare sector.
Head of the Department of Family Medicine at UBTH, Dr Osaze Obaze, also highlighted the significance of World Family Doctor Day, explaining that the annual event celebrates family medicine specialists while promoting awareness of issues affecting the profession.
He observed that the event’s theme is particularly relevant at a time when artificial intelligence and digital technologies are increasingly shaping healthcare practices.
Obaze encouraged Nigerians to make greater use of family medicine services, stating that family physicians often develop long-term relationships with patients and play broader roles in supporting families beyond conventional medical treatment.
The practitioners maintained that improving welfare, security, and professional support structures remains essential to strengthening healthcare delivery and reducing the continued migration of medical professionals.
