Public health physicians under the aegis of Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) have stressed the need for Nigeria to evolve strategies for resilience and recovery from public health emergencies. This was in view of the challenges facing healthcare in the country and the global community brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The physicians warned that the pandemic threatens to undermine the gains Nigeria has made in the health sector over decades and stressed the need for the country to put in place sectoral response in pandemic situations.
Speaking at the 37th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference (AGM & SC) of the association, yesterday, in Abuja, National Chairman APHPN, Prof. Benjamin Uzochukwu, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies have significant impact on health through changes to political, environmental and other conditions that may influence health determiners.
Uzochukwu said it was imperative that the conference addresses issues surrounding the theme through various sub-themes that have been carefully selected to align with the main subject.
In her remarks, the chair, local organizing committee for the conference, Dr Leilla Madueke, said it is important for the country to adapt and respond to emerging public health threats by bringing together skilled, motivated and dedicated professionals to solve multifaceted problems bedeviling the citizens.
He noted that in spite of the overall global climate, APHPN has continued to play a pivotal role in public health emergencies in Nigeria and beyond.
He said the association remains at the forefront of addressing priority health issues in Nigeria through research and education of health care professionals, striving towards resilience in the face of the current COVID-19 pandemic and preparing the healthcare system for post-pandemic recovery.
source: TheGuardian
