The Minister of State for the FCT has committed to providing stronger support for pediatric surgical care in Nigeria. Speaking at the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria (APSON) in Abuja, she praised surgeons for their role in saving children’s lives and improving national health.
She acknowledged challenges such as poor infrastructure and a shortage of specialists. Still, she promised closer collaboration with professional bodies to expand access, improve referrals, and strengthen healthcare delivery for children nationwide.
Prof. Philip Mshelbwala, head of the local organising committee, warned of a dire shortage of paediatric surgeons, noting that the FCT and Nasarawa, with over 4 million residents, have only 15 specialists. He called for urgent action, stressing APSON’s commitment to mentorship and collaboration to bridge the gap.
The conference focused on strategies to boost training, infrastructure, and policy support for child healthcare in Nigeria.
