The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, has reiterated the administration’s commitment to strengthening nursing and midwifery practice, describing the profession as central to effective healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the biennial conference of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation in Abuja, Mahmoud said nurses and midwives remain the backbone of health systems, given their frontline role in patient care and improving health outcomes.
The conference, held at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, drew participants from across the Commonwealth, with discussions focused on strengthening healthcare systems amid evolving global challenges.
Mahmoud noted that nurses and midwives are often the first point of contact in the health system and, in many cases, the most consistent caregivers.
“Their dedication, compassion and professionalism continue to save lives daily,” she said, adding that their role is critical to achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She observed that health systems globally are under pressure from emerging disease patterns, workforce shortages and rising demand for equitable and quality healthcare, stressing the need for sustained investment in capacity building and improved working conditions.
The minister further assured that the FCT Administration would continue to implement policies aimed at strengthening the health workforce and expanding access to modern healthcare infrastructure.
She also commended the federation for promoting professional development, advocacy and best practices across member countries, urging participants to leverage the forum to deepen collaboration and innovation.
In his remarks, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Haruna Mamman, said the successful hosting of the conference was made possible by the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He described nurses and midwives as indispensable to healthcare systems and expressed optimism that the conference would serve as a catalyst for advancing the profession globally.
