Health
UITH Physicians Advocate Science-driven Healthcare Unity
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Some physicians at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) have called for unity in science-driven healthcare delivery in Nigeria to strengthen disease prevention, diagnostics, treatment outcomes, and overall public health system performance nationwide.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call formed part of lectures presented at the 2026 World Health Organisation Day commemoration in Ilorin on Wednesday, themed “Together for Health: Stand with Science.”
The programme was organised by the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health of UITH in collaboration with the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) to promote evidence-based healthcare delivery and collaboration nationwide.
Prof. Kolawole Abdulwahab, a Consultant Neurologist at UITH, emphasised the need for unity in science-driven healthcare, from disease prevention and control to improved diagnostics and effective treatment outcomes nationwide.
He made this known in his lecture entitled “Building Multisectoral Research Partnerships for a Healthier and Safer Population: Lessons from Global Scientific Networks”, highlighting the importance of partnerships in addressing health sector challenges.
The expert said it had become necessary to bring researchers, government, and the media together to build multisectoral collaboration in solving persistent challenges affecting healthcare delivery systems across the country.
Abdulwahab reiterated the need for collaboration rather than isolated efforts, urging researchers to work closely with industry stakeholders to develop practical and sustainable solutions to identify health challenges nationwide.
According to him, involving relevant stakeholders from the conceptual stage of research will make implementation of findings easier and more effective across communities and healthcare systems in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, identified humans, animals, and the environment as key components of the One Health approach.
She spoke on the topic “Fostering a Healthier and Safer Future for All Using the One Health Approach: The Role of Government”, emphasising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health systems.
“Many diseases affecting humans are transmitted from animals, the environment, and are also influenced by climate change. More than 75 per cent are zoonotic, including anthrax, rabies and COVID-19,” she said.
Elelu recommended strong government commitment and ownership to ensure sustainable financing for One Health activities, alongside policies and enforcement of laws addressing the human-animal-environment interface nationwide.
“This includes regulation of wildlife trade, enforcement of food safety standards, and integration of human and animal disease surveillance systems to curb disease transmission,” she said during the lecture.
Also, Prof. Sunday Aderibigbe, Professor of Community Medicine, UITH in his lecture titled “Together for Science: Advancing One Health and Evidence-Driven Public Health in Nigeria”, described healthcare delivery as a collective responsibility requiring coordinated efforts.
He advised on integrated solutions, noting that no sector could function effectively in isolation, and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve health outcomes and system efficiency nationwide.
Earlier, Prof. Uthman Mubashir, Head of Department, Epidemiology and Community Health, said the lectures were timely and important as they emphasised the relevance of the One Health approach to public health.
Mubashir said that the One Health approach, advocated by WHO, recognised that human, animal, and environmental health were interconnected, strengthening coordinated responses to emerging and re-emerging health threats globally.
He added that the department had consistently been at the forefront of organising the annual event, while commending the hospital management for its continued support and commitment to advancing healthcare initiatives.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Abiemwense Moru