Abuja: The Society for Public Health Professionals of Nigeria (SPHPN) has called for stronger collaboration between public health professionals and lawmakers to create an enabling environment for effective healthcare delivery nationwide. The Secretary-General of SPHPN, Prof. Arinola Joda, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the sixth SPHPN and 37th Professional Association of Public Health Nurses of Nigeria (PAPHNON) Joint Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Joda, who is also Chairman of the Scientific Support Committee of the Local Organising Committee, said closer engagement with the National Assembly was necessary because lawmakers made laws guiding healthcare practice. She mentioned that the conference had already commenced consultations with the National Assembly, with the engagement expected to strengthen collaboration between legislators and public health professionals across Nigeria.
Joda stated that the communiqu© to be issued at the end of the conference will contain resolutions, strategies, and recommendations aimed at promoting a supportive environment for public health practice. ‘We have already intimated some of our prayers, including a closer working relationship between the public health professionals in Nigeria and the National Assembly,’ she said.
She highlighted that the conference, themed ‘Public Health in a Changing World: Innovation, Equity and Global Health,’ was designed to help professionals understand their evolving roles in healthcare delivery. Joda emphasized that the changing nature of health conditions required continuous evolution and specialization among healthcare professionals to ensure better outcomes and more effective public health interventions for Nigerians.
Speaking on innovation, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), Joda stressed that public health professionals must continually acquire new skills to remain relevant in an increasingly dynamic healthcare environment. She noted that AI had the potential to transform healthcare delivery, but human oversight remained essential in interpreting results and ensuring interventions suited specific communities.
Joda expressed concern over the migration of nurses and other public health professionals, stating that improved working conditions, opportunities, and security were essential for retaining skilled personnel in Nigeria. She suggested that professionals in the diaspora could periodically return to contribute to training programs and support health institutions with equipment and resources.
On health inequities, particularly in rural communities, Joda said SPHPN was working to strengthen the public health workforce through training, capacity building, and regular professional updates. She emphasized the need for greater involvement of policymakers, local governments, and Nigerians in the diaspora to strengthen healthcare services in rural communities nationwide.
Regarding post-conference actions, Joda stated that dedicated sessions by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) would produce recommendations and action plans. She mentioned that SPHPN would continue engagements with the two organizations after the conference and that the conference communiqu© would be shared with relevant government authorities.
Joda also encouraged public health professionals across Nigeria to join SPHPN, saying the society was open to professionals affiliated with other associations and direct individual membership applicants. She advised interested professionals to obtain further information on membership opportunities, programs, and activities through the society’s official website and communication platforms.