The National President of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), Dr. Terfa Kene, has called for urgent action to safeguard healthcare delivery in conflict-affected and crisis-prone areas across the country.
Dr. Kene made the appeal at the official opening of the 42nd Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of APHPN, held in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The conference, themed “Healing in the Crossfire: Health Under Threat – Delivering Health Services in Conflict and Crisis,” focuses on addressing the challenges faced by healthcare systems operating under conditions of insecurity and instability.
In his address, Dr. Kene highlighted the devastating impact of conflict and insecurity on health workers, healthcare infrastructure, and service delivery nationwide. He emphasized that the theme underscores the urgent need to protect frontline health professionals and strengthen systems that ensure uninterrupted access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The APHPN President further noted that the conference will examine critical sub-themes, including the effects of climate change in conflict settings, strategies for adaptation and mitigation, and the development of resilient healthcare systems capable of withstanding emergencies and crises.
He expressed confidence that the conference would provide practical solutions to improve healthcare delivery in challenging environments and enhance the protection of health workers across Nigeria.
