Health experts, government officials, and development advocates have called for strategic policy reforms and increased collaboration to address long-standing gaps in women’s healthcare in Nigeria.
They made the call at the 2025 edition of the Banking on Women’s Health Conference (BWHC), held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Themed “Women’s Health Gap: The Silent Battles that Hold Women Back,” the event brought together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss reproductive and physiological health issues affecting women, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fibroids, obesity, access to contraceptives, and other under-reported conditions.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, Adanna Steinacker, assured participants of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery for women across the country. She said the administration was focused on ensuring that policies and resources are directed toward safeguarding women’s health and well-being.
Read Also: NASFAT Women begins 6th Biennial Conference
Convener of the conference and CEO of Healthtracka, Ifeoluwa Dara Jackson, noted that the current healthcare system often neglects the peculiar needs of women, stressing the importance of private-public collaboration in driving inclusive health solutions.
A panel session moderated by Tola Sunmonu Balogun, Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, featured industry professionals who examined the state of women’s health in Nigeria. Panellists included Dr. Adesumbo Odeseye, a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons; Dr. Itunu Johnson, a general practitioner with a focus on women’s health and workplace care; and Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, Co-Founder and CEO of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist Hospital and Chair of the Women’s Healthcare Network.
Dr. Odeseye raised concerns over the high number of undiagnosed cases of reproductive health conditions, which she said often lead to infertility or prolonged suffering among women. She called for early diagnosis and increased awareness as part of national health education efforts.
Participants agreed that achieving quality healthcare for women will require intentional investment, targeted policy interventions, and an inclusive healthcare framework that recognises women’s unique health needs.
The conference ended with a shared resolution to continue advocacy for the integration of women’s health into mainstream health policy planning and implementation.