Seven Nigerian global health medical associations, in collaboration with the CONSTANMEDICS Foundation, plan to train 5,000 healthcare workers nationwide during the 2026 Diaspora Week, scheduled for July 16–26 across Nigeria.
The associations include ANPA (USA), CANPAD (Canada), MANSAG (UK), ANDA (Australia), NDF South Africa, NMA Germany and the CONSTANMEDICS Foundation (UK). Together, they represent more than 50,000 doctors committed to strengthening Nigeria’s health workforce.
Dr. Jideofor Menakaya, a Consultant Neonatal Paediatrician at Hillingdon Hospital, UK, disclosed the initiative on Thursday at the opening of the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) in Calabar, Cross River State.
The theme of the 66th NCH is “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage Through Equity, Resilience and Innovation,” focusing on reforms, equity and resilience in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Menakaya, who is President of MANSAG, said the programme was built on the vision of the Coordinating Minister, who approved a new healthcare workforce framework to improve collaboration and clinical excellence nationwide.
Inaugurated globally at the Minister of State’s Global Health Partnership Conference in March 2025, the initiative—called Farnessing—received support from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and state ministries of health.
“It leverages diaspora expertise to co-design programmes aligned with national frameworks, delivering specialist training accessible to professionals both in the UK and Nigeria,” Menakaya said, highlighting its collaborative approach.
He outlined the regional programmes as follows:
- Federal Capital Territory: CANPAD (Canada) will train 75–100 healthcare leaders in medical leadership and accountability to strengthen management and support initiatives such as the Health Sector Renewal Initiative.
- North-West: MANSAG (UK) will train about 1,000 healthcare workers to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in local government areas with the highest death rates during National Skills Day.
- North-East: The Concerned Medics Foundation will train 2,000 healthcare workers in screening, managing and treating sickle cell disease, addressing Nigeria’s high disease burden.
- North-Central: NMA Germany will train up to 200 specialists in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and cardiology, with mentorship to expand emergency and critical care capacity.
- South-East: ANPA (USA) will train 1,000 healthcare workers in emergency life support for adults and children, alongside virtual training on chronic disease management.
- South-South: ANDA (Australia) will train 200 specialists on early diagnosis of endometriosis using ultrasound, aiming to improve reproductive health and reduce infertility complications.
- South-West: NDF South Africa will train 300 specialists in interventional radiology, neurosurgery and gastro-endoscopy to enhance specialist capacity and standardize care.
Menakaya said the initiative would improve service delivery, strengthen workforce retention, standardize protocols and enhance patient outcomes. He urged government agencies, NGOs and international partners to support the programme, noting that the effort marked a new era of diaspora engagement aimed at reversing brain drain and expanding Nigeria’s healthcare capacity.
The National Council on Health was inaugurated in 1961 following the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Health in 1950. It was created to strengthen coordination within the health sector.
