FCTA committed to advancing paediatric surgical care – Minister

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to advancing paediatric surgical care.

Mahmoud said this at the official opening of the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria (Abuja Chapter) in Abuja on Thursday.

She emphasised the critical role paediatric surgeons played in safeguarding children’s health, highlighting the speciality’s compassion, precision, and resilience in contributing to national well-being.

The minister highlighted the challenges facing the healthcare system which include limited infrastructure and skilled manpower shortages.

She also recognised opportunities through technological innovation, improved training, and government reforms.

Mahmoud pledged close collaboration with professional bodies to expand access to quality healthcare and improve referral systems.

This, she said, would ensure 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.

The minister urged participants to focus on practical solutions and actionable recommendations to enhance policy and clinical practice.

She also affirmed her office’s openness to ongoing dialogue to improve child health services in the FCT and beyond.

Earlier, Prof. Philip Mshelbwala,
the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, noted that Nigeria faces a critical shortage of paediatric surgeons, with an alarming ratio of specialists to patients that demand urgent attention.

“As a case in point, the FCT and Nasarawa State have 15 paediatric surgeons for a combined population of approximately 4.3 million, with half being children.

“This falls well below World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.”

Mshelbwala, assured of the unwavering commitment of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria to bridge the gap through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving.