Seven medical groups to drive Diaspora health impact initiative 2026 across Nigeria

No fewer than seven medical associations have confirmed their participation in the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026 (DHII 2026), a programme aimed at leveraging global Nigerian medical expertise to strengthen local health systems.

The initiative, themed “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” is being organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders.

It will span all six geopolitical zones of the country, with activities running from July 20 and culminating in Abuja on July 25–26.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NiDCOM Chairman and CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the initiative seeks to expand access to specialised care and improve health outcomes in underserved communities.

She highlighted that DHII 2026 reflects the government’s commitment to equitable national coverage, including the North East, North West, North Central, South East, South-South, and South West zones.

Under the programme, seven diaspora medical associations will deploy to designated states between July 20 and 23 to deliver specialised clinical services, including maternal and neonatal care, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology.

The groups include: Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA–USA); Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists (CANPAD–Canada); Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain (MANSAG–UK); Concerned Medics Foundation (UK); Nigerian Medical Association Germany; Nigerian-Australian Medical and Dental Association (NAMDA); Nigerian Doctors Forum South Africa (NDF-SA).

All teams will reconvene in Abuja on July 24 to submit impact reports ahead of National Diaspora Day.

Dabiri-Erewa said the programme aims to harness the expertise, innovation, and global experience of Nigerian health professionals abroad to strengthen local health systems and expand access to specialist care. She noted that beyond annual remittances exceeding $20 billion, Nigerians in the diaspora contribute through knowledge transfer, specialist interventions, mentorship, and advisory support.

She further stated that DHII 2026 provides a structured national framework aligning diaspora medical expertise with priority federal and state health needs, consistent with the National Diaspora Policy.

The NiDCOM Chairman thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate for their support, urging diaspora professionals to continue partnering with the government to build resilient, equitable, and people-centred healthcare systems.

Representatives of the participating associations and the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council also pledged their commitment to sustaining the initiative.

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