Amidst joy, gratitude and sense of fulfilment, medical doctors in Imo State under the umbrella of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Imo State Chapter, on Sunday, October 26, concluded their 2025 Physicians’ Week with a luncheon at the Foret Event Center, Owerri, rededicating themselves to the medical profession.
The event marked the closing ceremony of their week-long activities that included: enlightenment programmes, visitations to old and sick members, retired priests home and orphanages, novelty match between NMA and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Walk for Life and secondary schools outreaches where doctors donated educational materials, and encouraged students.
The luncheon, attended by NMA members and their families, government officials, partners, traditional rulers and other personalities, followed a thanksgiving outing of the Association at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, where the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, during his homily, extolled doctors for their steadfastness despite challenges.
Archbishop Ugorji, frowned that medical practitioners in the country contend with poor conditions of service and infrastructure, prompting some to seek greener pastures overseas where they are excelling. He thanked NMA members for staying back to serve their country, while encouraging them to give in their best like the apostles and early missionaries who followed the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
In his speech, the Imo State Chairman of NMA, Dr. Echeta Bartholomew Uzodimma, highlighted the significance of the Physicians’ Week as “a period created for medical doctors to reassess their believes and commitment to the practice of medicine. It is a period of stocktaking. A period of proffering solutions to contemporary challenges facing medical practice,” he said.
Dr. Uzodimma, was full of gratitude to the Imo NMA members for their dedications to the profession, and support towards his leadership, assuring of his determination to continue moving the Association to greater heights. He thanked the 2025 Physicians’ Week Planning Committee for a beautiful outcome, while congratulating the deserving recipients of Distinguished Medical Practitioner (DMP) Award among other recognitions.
He used the opportunity to restate the appreciation of the Imo State NMA towards Governor Hope Uzodimma for upgrading the salaries of doctors in the state, and wished him well. The Chairman thanked the guests and all who contributed in making the event a success.
On her own, the Chairperson of the Physicians’ Week Planning Committee, Dr. Mrs. Chikaodi Ogwudire, expressed delight over the success of the programme, and thanked the Imo NMA leadership for reposing such confidence in her, as she appreciated her committee members for their fruitful contributions.
“Indeed, our discussions, engagements, and outreach this week have not only enlightened us, but have also reaffirmed our collective responsibility to advocate for better policies, improved work conditions, and quality care for our patients,” Dr. Ogwudire, said, urging her colleagues to return to their work places with dignity and increased commitment to the profession, having been inspired and rejuvenated.
Meanwhile, the keynote speaker, Dr. Emeka Nwolisa, said that the Physicians’ Week’s theme: “Healthcare as a Value Chain: Building Efficiency from Policy to Patient,” emphasized all activities, processes and participants needed to bring patients from illness to heath. He stated that “A well-functioning value chain efficiently provides high-quality care, while a broken chain results in high costs, poor coordination, and suboptimal outcomes.”
He identified six key components of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system as: policy and regulatory framework, human resources, financing and resource allocation, service delivery, infrastructure and supply chain and monitoring, data and evaluation. Dr. Nwolisa acknowledged some challenges, but advocated enhanced intersectoral collaboration, improved funding and transparency, investment in technology and data and fair access to healthcare accross the country among others to achieve efficient outcomes.
The highpoints of the 2025 Physicians’ Week which witnessed lavish entertainment and renditions from the Imo City Chorale, were the singing and recitation of the Physicians’ Anthem and Rededication Pledge. Some members were also elevated to the “Distinguished Medical Practitioners” (DMP); the highest award of honour given to members by the NMA.
The recipients included: Dr. Festus Adeniyi, Dr. Benjamin Anyanwu, Dr. Hycent Emele, Dr. Kinsley Achigbu and Late Dr. Emeka Obioha (posthumous).
In attendance were: the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Chioma Egu represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adinnu Kennedy Ogemdi, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, HRM, Eze Oliver Ohanwe and other dignitaries, including the Imo NMA Secretary, Dr. Nnaemeka Ibekwe and Dr. Amanze Ibekwe who commended the NMA leadership for its achievements, while charging his colleagues to remain steadfast to their medical calling.
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
