Abuja: Prof. Akanimo Essiet, the outgoing President of the International College of Surgeons, Nigeria Section (ICS-NS), has urged members to actively participate in surgical outreach missions aimed at improving access to healthcare nationwide.
Essiet appealed in Abuja during the 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the College, which began on June 23 with a medical outreach programme.
He also called on members to renew their commitment to the Abuja headquarters building project.
The theme of the conference is “Surgical Safety in a Developing Economy: The Role of Technology and Healthcare Innovations.”
Sub-themes include “Effect of Healthcare Financing Models on Surgical Safety: Focus on Public-Private Partnership (PPP)” and “Adaptability, Alliances, and Outsourcing as Strategic Tools for Optimising Surgical Safety.”
While highlighting the College’s recent global achievements, Essiet warned that key domestic initiatives risk stagnation without stronger internal backing.
He urged members to take ownership of local projects, noting that efforts to secure external political support had yielded little result.
He encouraged fellows to emulate members of the College’s Executive Council by promptly paying project levies and participating actively in outreach missions.
Citing a recent example, he lamented that a Switzerland-supported surgical outreach in Nigeria’s North-Central region in November 2024 failed to receive adequate volunteer support from ICS fellows.
“We must not only initiate our outreach programmes but also support our international partners when they offer to collaborate,” he said.
Essiet outlined several milestones, including Nigeria’s growing presence on the ICS global Executive Council and Editorial Board, as well as the recent invitation to contribute to the international scientific committee for the 44th ICS Biennial Congress in Singapore.
He commended the Executive Council for their dedication and thanked the Local Organising Committee, led by Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, for successfully delivering the 58th AGM on short notice.
In a goodwill message, Prof. Bala Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), emphasised the importance of innovation and collaboration in improving surgical outcomes.
Represented by Prof. Titus Ibekwe, Audu applauded the College’s commitment to professionalism, training, advocacy, and excellence, especially in areas with limited access to safe surgical care.
Earlier, Dr Yahaya Adamu, Managing Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, called for more active engagement of political actors in health policy to ensure expert recommendations lead to meaningful policy actions.
“We may have the knowledge, the expertise, and the will, but without political support, our efforts may amount to nothing,” he said.
