Health experts have called on Nigerians to embrace self-care as an urgent step to improve personal health and reduce the heavy strain on the nation’s healthcare system.
This appeal was made at the second edition of the D’Bio Wellness & Self-Care Summit, held in Lagos with the theme “Self-Care as a Driver of Optimal Health and Wellness.”
The summit brought together health advocates, pharmaceutical experts, community leaders, industry players, and representatives from education and entertainment sectors.
Its main goal was to encourage Nigerians to take greater responsibility for their health and promote a culture of self-care nationwide.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Victor Afolabi, CEO of Hazon Holdings and Co-Founder of Wellness HMO, noted that with only one doctor available for every 10,000 patients and rising healthcare costs, Nigeria’s health system is overstretched.
“Self-care is no longer a choice; it is a necessity to balance increasing demand with limited resources,” Afolabi said.
He explained that Nigeria faces both infectious diseases and growing cases of non-communicable illnesses like hypertension and diabetes.
According to him, self-care should be the first line of defense, leaving hospitals to handle only more serious and complex conditions.
He also recommended the use of structured, evidence-based self-care strategies and urged policymakers to make healthcare tools more affordable and accessible.
In her welcome address, summit convener Dr. Monica Eimunjeze stressed that health should not be left only to doctors and other medical professionals.
She said everyone, regardless of their background, has a role to play in building a healthier society.
Eimunjeze highlighted the seven pillars of self-care identified by the International Self-Care Foundation: physical activity, healthy eating, mental well-being, good hygiene, wise use of products and services, risk avoidance, and health literacy.
She emphasized that developing a culture of self-care requires a collective effort from all parts of society.
Dr. Fidelis Ayebae, Chairman of Fidson Healthcare Plc, linked self-care to self-love.
Represented by Pharm. Friday Enaholo, Ayebae said, “If you love yourself, you will want to achieve wellness and sustain it.”
He explained that wellness includes not just physical health but also mental well-being, and called for wider support to promote self-care practices at the grassroots.
The summit also featured goodwill messages from stakeholders who pledged their commitment to advancing self-care initiatives nationwide.
An exhibition of wellness products, supplements, and self-care tools was organized alongside the event, giving participants a chance to explore practical ways to improve their health.
Attendees agreed on the need for stronger policies, more community involvement, and sustained advocacy to make self-care a central part of Nigeria’s health system.
