The Vice President, Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a healthcare system that values both excellence and empathy, stressing that the dignity of caregivers, particularly women, must be protected and celebrated.
The vice president stated this at the Women in HealthCare Network (WIHCN) second annual conference held in Lagos. The conference with the theme; “Restoring Wellness, Rising with Purpose” brought together health care practitioners, diplomats among others.
Shettima who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Dr. Uju Rocha-Anwukah said the nation’s health system must reward excellence, protect those who serve, and inspire the next generation of caregivers. “Every society is measured by how it treats its caregivers. From our hospitals to remote communities, women hold together the vital pieces of our healthcare system often unseen, often uncelebrated, but always indispensable,” Shettima stated.
He commended the WIHCN for creating a platform that unites and empowers women across all levels of healthcare delivery, describing the initiative as a future where policy meets empathy, and leadership is measured not by titles but by impact.
Shettima also hailed women such as the late Dr. Stella Adadevoh, who helped halt the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, and Dr. Amarachukwu Allison, who identified the country’s first COVID-19 case, as symbols of courage and resilience.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, represented by the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwatomi Coker, emphasised the importance of empowering women in healthcare, noting that over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s health workforce comprises women.
“This conference is not just an event but a necessity. We must continue to create opportunities for women to lead not only in hospitals and laboratories but also in boardrooms, research institutions, and policy-making spaces,” he said.
Salako reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting structures that promote mentorship, work-life balance, and equitable advancement for women, stressing that when women rise, healthcare rises with them.
Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, lauded the role of women in transforming the culture of care and excellence across Lagos healthcare facilities.
“Real wellness goes beyond the absence of illness, it’s about balance in body, mind, and spirit. Women in healthcare have not only saved lives but also shaped the very fabric of our health system,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s investment in hospital upgrades, primary health care revitalization, and wellness initiatives, adding that the government would continue to collaborate with groups like WIHN to promote inclusion, capacity building, and preventive care.
Earlier, Founder and Chair, WIHCN and CEO of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre, Prof. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi noted that the Network was founded with a simple but powerful vision to connect, empower, and celebrate women in healthcare.
“Founded two years ago by 15 women, WIHCN now boasts over 300 members across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with active chapters in Lagos, Abuja, and the UK. Our contributions as women in healthcare often go unrecognised. WIHN exists to change this narrative to celebrate women’s impact, amplify their voices, and foster leadership across the health ecosystem,” Elebute-Odunsi said.
The Prof. expressed optimism about WIHCN’s future, pledging continued advocacy for female representation in healthcare leadership and policymaking. “Women in Healthcare is not just a network; it is a movement. We are building a future where women in medicine, nursing, research, innovation, and finance rise with purpose well, strong, and leading together,” she declared.
