One-time Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole has been elected, President, The Nigerian Academy of Medicine (NAMed)
At its Annual Lecture, Induction Ceremony, and Scientific Conference this year which was held at the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, from Tuesday, 9th September, to Wednesday, 10th September 2025, Prof. Adewole was elected to take over from the outgoing President of the Academy, Emeritus Prof. Samuel C. Ohaegbulam who has served out his tenure.
Promising to justify the confidence reposed in him, the former University of Ibadan Vice Chancellor, in his acceptance speech, pledged to lead the Academy to greater heights, saying his tenure shall consolidate on the achievements and successes of his predecessor.
Speaking earlier on the theme of this year’s conference, the immediate past President stated that the Academy deliberately chose the theme of the conference, “Emerging and re-emerging diseases,” due to the increase of diseases in the country.
The Annual lecture topic was Re-emergence of Lassa Fever—Advancing Detection and Response Capacities in Nigeria, with Prof. John Idoko FAS, FNAMed, as the guest lecturer.
The Induction ceremony was conducted in an elegant but dignified manner, with twenty new fellows being inducted into the Academy by the immediate past President of the Academy on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. These new inductees were eminent physicians, distinguished professors, and medical scientists who hold critical positions, such as Chief Medical Directors of tertiary health institutions and Vice-Chancellors of Universities, as well as other leaders in the profession.
A guest speaker Dr. Francis Ukwuije, who is a WHO Health Economist, while speaking on “Healthcare Financing in Nigeria: Are we Getting It Right?” recommended that greater efforts needed to be made in financing healthcare to prevent catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses.
The second scientific session included a panel discussion with Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority; Dr. Sir Frank Odafen, a Medical Entrepreneur; Dr. Joyce Barber, an HMO Provider; Dr. John A. Onyeokoro, a public health physician; and a health insurance expert as panel speakers. The discussion focused on Health Insurance in Nigeria, its progress since inception, challenges, and prospects, with emphasis on the way forward.
They suggested that the Academy should intensify advocacy to redirect and expand health insurance, which currently covers only 10% of the population.
