Family physicians push for bigger role to bridge widening gaps in healthcare system

The Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) has called for the full engagement and integration of family physicians into all levels of the country’s healthcare system, saying this is essential to bridge widening gaps in health policy implementation and primary healthcare governance.

“In order to bridge the health policies and governance gaps in primary health care, family physicians should be engaged, integrated, and appointed to implement the approved health policies between all levels of healthcare systems,” the group stated in a communiqué issued at the end of its 28th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) held in Abuja.

SOFPON warned that the absence of family physicians in critical decision-making roles was contributing to inefficiencies in primary healthcare delivery, particularly at a time when insecurity and economic hardship were worsening the nation’s health crisis.

The communiqué, dated November 30, 2025, and signed by SOFPON President, Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu, and Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Jatau Loh, also condemned the growing wave of attacks on health facilities and the kidnapping of medical workers. 

The organisation said these trends were placing “unbearable pressure on both medical practitioners and patients.”

“The society urges the federal government to pay more attention to the security challenges to give enabling environment for family physicians and healthcare workers to discharge their responsibilities without fears or intimidations,” it added.

SOFPON further expressed concern over Nigeria’s deepening economic hardship and the deteriorating state of the healthcare system, insisting that therapeutic standards must not be sacrificed for survival. 

It noted that financial resilience had become an indispensable skill for practitioners operating under the present economic realities.

The group also decried the mass exodus of medical professionals driven by poor working conditions and inadequate government interventions. 

To address this, it pledged to intensify advocacy for equitable remuneration, stronger safety regulations, and expanded financing of primary healthcare under the National Health Insurance framework.

Highlighting the rising mental health challenges among Nigerian doctors, ranging from depression and anxiety to burnout, SOFPON blamed the situation on long work hours, stress, exposure to trauma, and financial strain.

The communiqué also criticised the underutilisation of family physicians, attributing it to poor system integration, lack of recognition, weak infrastructure, and haphazard deployment that forces many to fill generic roles rather than lead primary healthcare teams.

To strengthen the health system, SOFPON resolved to enhance partnerships between public and private sectors, hospitals and HMOs, and health professionals and technology innovators. 

Advertisement

It committed to promoting value-oriented, cost-effective healthcare; establishing institutional wellness programmes for physicians; and advancing innovations such as telemedicine, digital documentation, and group practice networks.

The association also pledged to support early-career physicians through mentorship, leadership development, and financial literacy training, while investing in research and data-driven practice to inform policy reforms.