The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, on Tuesday, held its 2025 Physicians’ Week Scientific Conference, bringing together medical experts, healthcare policymakers, and students to discuss the future of healthcare delivery, ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and efficiency in the medical value chain.
The event, held at the Oyo NMA House in Ibadan, attracted a cross-section of physicians from various specialties, as well as medical students from institutions across the state. The conference, a highlight of the ongoing Physicians’ Week celebration, served as a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and professional reflection on the evolving landscape of healthcare.
The conference, chaired by Professor Abiodun Ilesanmi, featured two major lectures that examined critical areas shaping healthcare in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Healthcare as a Value Chain: Building Efficiency from Policy to Patient,” Dr. Oluwamuyiwa Olusanya emphasized the need for a coordinated, patient-centered healthcare system where every stakeholder, from policymakers to practitioners, plays a role in strengthening the chain of care delivery.
Dr. Olusanya highlighted inefficiencies in policy implementation, resource distribution, and hospital administration as major barriers to optimal healthcare outcomes. He called for stronger collaboration among public and private health sectors, improved funding structures, and technology-driven reforms to enhance service delivery and patient satisfaction.
“Healthcare should not be viewed as an isolated activity but as a continuous value chain that links government policies, administrative efficiency, clinical expertise, and patient experience,” Olusanya said. “Every link must function effectively for the system to deliver value.”
He further noted that Nigeria’s healthcare challenges could be mitigated by integrating accountability, innovation, and evidence-based practices into both public health management and clinical operations.
Complementing his insights, Dr. Temitope Farombi, a Consultant Neurologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on “Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and the Physician’s Role in Modern Healthcare.”
Dr. Farombi underscored the growing role of AI in diagnostics, treatment, and patient management, while cautioning that physicians must be adequately trained to use such technologies ethically and responsibly.
“AI can enhance accuracy and efficiency in healthcare delivery,” she said, “but it cannot replace the empathy, compassion, and ethical judgment that define medical practice.”
She emphasized that as AI continues to transform healthcare globally, doctors must balance innovation with humanity, ensuring that AI tools are safe, fair, and transparent in their application.
The conference provided a dynamic atmosphere for learning and dialogue among practitioners and students. Discussions focused on policy reform, ethical medical practice, and the integration of digital innovation into Nigeria’s healthcare system.
In his closing remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Ilesanmi, applauded both speakers for their insightful presentations and urged doctors to remain proactive in adapting to global healthcare trends while maintaining professionalism and integrity.
