Last Friday, I was delighted to provide a virtual Goodwill Message to the Women in Healthcare Forum, taking place in collaboration with the Women in Healthcare Network during the Medic West Africa Conference in Lagos on #FrontlineFriday.

Under the theme “POW(H)ER CONNECT: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” the mutual mission to connect, inform, and inspire women in the healthcare industry is vital, providing a platform for networking, mentorship, education, and advocacy, empowering women to reach their full potential and break down barriers within the field.

Women make up 70% of the global health and social workforce, providing essential health services for around 5 billion people worldwide, and according to The Lancet, in Nigeria nearly all midwives, 87% of nursing personnel, and 65% of medical doctors are women, yet women’s contributions to health and the health labour market remain markedly undervalued, and they are vastly underrepresented in senior health leadership positions.

Women in health tend to be clustered into lower status, low paid, and often unpaid roles. The healthcare development agenda in Nigeria and across Africa must better value women’s contributions to the population’s physical, social and mental wellbeing. Alongside this, equity issues pertaining to decent work free from all forms of discrimination is necessary for all United Nations member states to address if the 15 million health worker shortfall to achieve Universal Health Care is to be redressed in an inclusive and sustainable way.

Where Women Lead in Health, Transformation Tends to Follow; I extend a heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Dupe Elebute-Odunsi and all the founding members of the Women in Healthcare Network Nigeria for their dedication, vision, and unwavering commitment to engendering women in the healthcare sector.

I wish you all a Happy NewWeek, may it be filled with productivity and meaningful connections for impact!

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