The President of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), Dr Mamadou Mourtalla-Aka, has called on medical professionals across the West African region to champion healthy lifestyle practices.
He also urged them to advocate for stronger health systems to combat the growing burden of preventable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Mourtalla-Aka made the call while addressing participants at the 49th Annual General and Scientific Meeting of the Nigerian Chapter of the College, on Thursday in Kano.
He described the conference theme, “Healthy Living: Transforming Lives through Healthy Lifestyle Choices,” as timely, given the increasing prevalence of NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, which continue to exist alongside infectious diseases.
“As physicians and health leaders, we must go beyond hospital walls to advocate for prevention.
“Healthy eating, regular physical activity, mental well-being, and reduction in substance use are all critical to transforming individual and population health,” he said.
The WACP President emphasised the role of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Nigeria’s quest for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He urged physicians to actively engage in ensuring accessible and equitable healthcare for underserved populations.
“These diseases should not remain death sentences when cost-effective interventions are within reach,” he added.
He also stressed the importance of awareness, early detection, and improved health infrastructure, while commending the Nigerian Chapter of WACP for its consistent contributions to the College’s growth and impact in the sub-region.
In his remarks, Dr Benjamin Uzochukwu, Chairman of the WACP Nigeria Chapter, emphasised the call for physicians to lead public health advocacy and strengthen primary healthcare systems.
He noted that while NCDs were on the rise, they remained largely preventable through lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, healthy diets, and routine health screenings.
“Healthy living requires a paradigm shift, one that emphasises prevention over treatment, accountability over dependency, and systems that support well-being,” Uzochukwu said.
However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by poverty, insecurity, and limited access to care, which continued to hinder progress in many communities.
Also speaking at the event, Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, applauded the College for hosting the conference in Kano and urged participants to translate the knowledge gained into community impact.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran-Yusuf, the governor lamented Nigeria’s rising healthcare costs, particularly in cancer treatment.
“Prevention is better than cure. Early detection of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer can significantly increase survival rates,” he said.”
NAN
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