By Olabisi Azeez
The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State branch, has set the stage for a renewed drive to strengthen maternal and child healthcare in underserved communities, unveiling a comprehensive plan that blends sensitisation, education, and outreach programmes. The announcement came during MWAN Lagos’ 24th Biennial Conference and Investiture Ceremony, held over the weekend, under the theme: “Roadmap to Strengthening Healthcare Services for Women & Children: Policies, Politics & Participation.”
The ceremony also marked the swearing-in of Dr. Ime Edwin Okon as the 25th president of MWAN Lagos. A public health physician and Medical Director of Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, Dr. Okon emphasised that reducing maternal and infant mortality would be a defining priority of her tenure. “Childbirth must never cost a woman her life. No woman should die in the process of her natural duty of creation,” she stated. Dr. Okon outlined the association’s strategy to reach hard-to-access communities, focusing on educating pregnant women about early warning signs and danger signals during pregnancy. By teaching women to recognise these red flags, she said, families can seek timely care and prevent avoidable tragedies.
She also warned against delays in treating sick children, noting that preventable deaths often occur when families wait too long before visiting health facilities. “Across our 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, there are functional primary healthcare centres with doctors and midwives available. People should know where to go,” she said. The new president pledged to leverage both traditional and digital media platforms to extend MWAN Lagos’ reach. “We will use Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and all digital platforms, alongside radio, television, and print media, to engage households and raise awareness,” she said.
Reflecting on her tenure, outgoing President Dr. Funmi Ige highlighted the gains made over the past two years. Under her leadership, MWAN Lagos advanced HPV vaccination drives, increased cervical and breast cancer awareness, and conducted impactful community outreaches. “By the grace of God, we have been able to impact the lives of women and children through community outreaches, free surgeries, and awareness campaigns. Over 1,000 girls were immunised with the HPV vaccine in collaboration with the Lagos State Department of Health,” she said.
Dr. Ige acknowledged persistent challenges in healthcare delivery, particularly the low doctor-to-patient ratio and the ongoing “Japa syndrome,” which sees skilled medical professionals leaving the country. “Lagos is not doing badly, but we can do better. We need more medical personnel and stronger systems to serve our growing population,” she added.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Okon expressed gratitude to her mentors and predecessors, recognising the association’s 49-year legacy. “I joined MWAN in 2005, and today, 20 years later, I am privileged to be sworn in as president. Our mission remains to strengthen advocacy for women’s health and ensure MWAN Lagos remains a beacon of excellence,” she said. Dr. Okon also shared her vision for the association over the next biennium. She committed to reinforcing membership engagement, mentorship, health education, and community outreaches. Mental health and well-being among members will also be prioritised, alongside deeper partnerships with government agencies and private organisations. “MWAN Lagos is a family, and together, we will ensure that every medical woman feels seen, valued, and supported,” she emphasised.
The conference featured contributions from prominent healthcare leaders, including Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, Chief Medical Director of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). He called for strong political will and resource allocation to reduce maternal and child mortality, particularly in rural areas. Represented by obstetrician Prof. Yusuf Oshodi, LASUTH highlighted that women constitute about 70 percent of global healthcare needs, yet maternal and child mortality remains alarmingly high, with millions of preventable deaths each year.
MWAN National President, Dr. Zainab Muhammad-Idris, commended the Lagos chapter for the timely and visionary theme. Dr. Abiola Idowu, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, lauded the contributions of medical women in healthcare delivery, advocacy, and public health initiatives. Outgoing leaders and past presidents also took time to underscore MWAN’s enduring values of professionalism, mentorship, and service. Dr. Helen Boyo-Ekwueme, a former Chief Consultant Pathologist in Lagos State and a veteran in medical leadership, reaffirmed her commitment to women’s empowerment and community development, noting her work with the Boyo Next Generation Family Foundation and the Itsekiri Sisters Forum.
The conference concluded with a resounding call to action: to expand healthcare access, mentor younger colleagues, and promote leadership and gender equity in medicine. For MWAN Lagos, the message is clear — the health of women and children, particularly in underserved communities, must remain a national priority. Through education, outreach, and strategic partnerships, the association aims to ensure that quality healthcare is not a privilege but a right, and that preventable maternal and child deaths become a thing of the past.
