As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Family Doctors Day, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has renewed calls for greater investments in primary healthcare to strengthen the nation’s health system and improve outcomes for all citizens.
Speaking in Abuja at an event organized by the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (FCT/Keffi Chapter), Dr. Mahmoud stressed the urgent need to prioritize primary healthcare delivery, especially amid growing health demands and complex challenges confronting communities nationwide.
This year’s theme, “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,” underscores the pivotal role family doctors play in supporting mental health, particularly in the face of global stressors such as climate change, social unrest, economic instability, and pandemics.
“Family doctors are the backbone of our healthcare system,” Dr. Mahmoud said. “They provide comprehensive, continuous, and person-centered care that nurtures mental wellness and builds resilience in individuals and communities.”
She applauded the deep, enduring relationships family physicians share with their patients, noting that such trust is vital in managing chronic conditions and addressing mental health concerns early.
The Minister advocated for increased funding, training, and strategic deployment of family doctors, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas. She also called for the full integration of family medicine into national health policies, stressing that the sustainability of Nigeria’s health outcomes hinges on a strong primary healthcare framework.
“Family doctors are the unsung heroes working in clinics, rural health posts, urban centers, and even conflict zones to ensure equitable healthcare delivery,” she added.
In her welcome remarks, Chairperson of the Society of Family Physicians (FCT-Keffi Chapter), Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu, emphasized Nigeria’s unique mental health challenges ranging from stigma to limited access and a shortage of professionals.
She noted that family doctors can help close the gap by offering initial mental health screenings, raising awareness, and delivering basic psychological support.
“As we gather here today, let us reaffirm our commitment to the principles of family medicine,” Dr. Chukwukelu said. “Integrating mental health services into primary care is not just desirable it is essential.”
World Family Doctors Day is observed annually on May 19th, in honor of the founding of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) in 1972 a milestone that continues to unite and inspire family physicians worldwide.
