The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is to strengthen collaboration with medical experts to address the critical shortage of pediatric surgeons and improve children’s healthcare across the capital and neighbouring states.
The pledge was made by the minister of state for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, at the opening of the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Pediatric Surgeons of Nigeria (APSON) in Abuja.
Mahmoud emphasised the critical role pediatric surgeons play in safeguarding children’s health, highlighting its compassion, precision and resilience in contributing to national well-being.
She acknowledged the challenges in the healthcare system, including limited infrastructure and skilled manpower shortages, while also recognising opportunities through technological innovation, improved training and government reforms.
The minister pledged close collaboration with professional bodies to expand access to quality healthcare and improve referral systems, ensuring timely surgical interventions for children across urban and rural areas.
She commended the association’s dedication to training, research and mentorship and stressed the importance of preventive care through stronger linkages among healthcare professionals to reduce late presentation of conditions.
She urged participants to focus on practical solutions and actionable recommendations to enhance policy and clinical practice, affirming her office’s openness to ongoing dialogue to improve child health services in the FCT and beyond.
The chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Philip Mshelbwala, said Nigeria faces a critical shortage of pediatric surgeons, with an alarming ratio of specialists to patients that demands urgent attention.
“As a case in point, the FCT and Nasarawa State have 15 pediatric surgeons for a combined population of approximately 4.3 million, with half being children. This falls well below World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations,” he said.
Mshelbwala assured of the unwavering commitment of the association to bridge this gap through knowledge sharing, mentorship and collaborative problem-solving.
