Health
Senator Advocates Better Welfare, Health Support For Doctors
By Aderogba George
Sen. Francis Faduyile, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, has called for improved doctors’ welfare, regular health checks and safer working conditions to prevent burnout and premature deaths among physicians.
Faduyile made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 2026 Physicians’ Week in Abuja.
He identified excessive workloads, occupational stress, sleep deprivation, unhealthy lifestyles and reluctance to seek medical attention as factors threatening doctors’ health and patient care.
He said fear of stigma, professional consequences and being perceived as weak discouraged some physicians from seeking help.
“It is a healthy doctor that will treat a patient,” he said, urging practitioners to undergo regular medical checks, including blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol tests, maintain healthy diets, exercise regularly and get adequate sleep.
He also warned against smoking, substance misuse and excessive alcohol consumption.
The senator urged hospitals and other employers to address staffing shortages, measure workloads, enforce annual leave and introduce safer duty schedules to reduce exhaustion among medical personnel.
He advocated confidential support and referral systems for doctors experiencing physical or mental health challenges, as well as measures to address workplace harassment and violence.
Faduyile further highlighted the importance of health insurance and financial education in helping doctors manage the pressures of medical practice.
He called for proper documentation of deaths among doctors to identify preventable causes and guide interventions.
“Seeking help is not a failure,” he said.
Also speaking, Aisha Umar, Chief Medical Officer of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), highlighted the centre’s specialist services and advanced medical facilities.
Umar said the centre had three Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, linear accelerators and catheterisation laboratories to support specialised diagnosis and treatment.
She said the centre was working to strengthen specialist healthcare delivery in Africa and reduce the need for patients to travel outside the continent for treatment.
Umar also announced plans to commence internships in radiography, pharmacy, nursing and medical laboratory science, while pursuing collaborations and training accreditation in cardiovascular medicine and cardiothoracic surgery.
Earlier, Dr George Ebong, NMA-FCT Chairman, urged physicians to uphold professionalism, innovation, advocacy and collaboration, while promoting policies that support quality healthcare and members’ welfare. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
