Family doctors desperate to increase numbers

A programme started four years ago by the National Postgraduate Medical College to award postgraduate diploma in family medicine has only produced some 350 graduates, according to SOPFON president, Dr Akin Moses.And only 400 family physicians are registered as consultants.In a briefing to mark the World Family Doctors Day, he said the society has been […]

A programme started four years ago by the National Postgraduate Medical College to award postgraduate diploma in family medicine has only produced some 350 graduates, according to SOPFON president, Dr Akin Moses.
And only 400 family physicians are registered as consultants.
In a briefing to mark the World Family Doctors Day, he said the society has been “encouraging medical students to contribute to healthcare at primary and secondary levels by choosing family medicine as a specialty.”
Akin said, SOFPON and Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AHPMPN “will continue to partner with the governments and other relevant stakeholders at all levels in defining the health needs of our people and offering appropriate intervention.”
SOFPON looks toward partnership in health care financing, managing under-utilised public health centres to improve confidence and patronage.
The society has listed outreach and free medical examinations in select communities around the FCT among events the World Family Doctor Day.
“Family doctors are trained to integrate into the community and act as advocate for the patient,” said Dr Gbenga Ogunfowokan, senior consultant physician at National Hospital Abuja.
“It is one thing for a patient to come out with a disease, but there are a lot of policies that have to be made that will impact on the treatment of that disease.
The family physician is an advocate for the patient. He manages not just the patient but the health system itself.”