The Oyo State chapter of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has celebrated its nonagenarian members, seizing the opportunity to seek support and collaboration for female doctors in the country.
Members of the association made this known on Tuesday in Ibadan during the 90th birthday celebration of the founder of the association, Professor S. Oludayisi Oduntan, as well as the celebration of other nonagenarian icons in the medical profession.
The other celebrated nonagenarians were Professor Oyin Olurin, Professor Bopo Osuntokun, Professor Funke Oyemade, Professor Oyin Elebute, Dr Grace Braithwaite, Dr Philomena Odunsi, Dr Adediran, Dr Adeoba, Dr Adebunmi Odiakosa, and Dr Taiwo Okoisor.
The president-elect of the Oyo State chapter of MWAN, Dr Shakirat Olanlege, while reading the citation of Professor Oduntan, described her as an icon who has not only lived well and long but has also been a mentor and leader for women in the medical profession.
Dr Olanlege spoke about the work, leadership, and other endeavours of Professor Oduntan, whom she described as a professor of public health, the first Dean of the Students’ Affairs of the University of Ibadan, the first female president of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, and the founder of MWAN.
The president of the Oyo State chapter of MWAN, Dr Omowumi Femi-Akinlosotu, stated that female doctors and members of the association are reaping the fruits of the labour of Professor Oduntan and her contemporaries who have made their mark in the annals of medicine, inspired others to aspire for greatness, and made womanhood proud.
“They are God-fearing, humble, and assiduous women who are trailblazers in their careers. We are testimonies of their hard work,” she said.
Speaking extensively on the programmes the association offers to its members and the public, Dr Femi-Akinlosotu said they aim to expand the role of women in the achievement and maintenance of health throughout Nigeria through the provision of communication and cooperation among medical women, promotion of the general interest of female medical and dental doctors, and provision of opportunities for medical women to discuss questions concerning the health and well-being of humanity.
In light of this, she stressed that the importance of women in healthcare cannot be overemphasised, adding, “It is precisely for this reason, that we advocate that the medical and dental professions should offer positions to women with the stipulated United Nations SDG 5 (gender equity).”
Dr. Femi-Akinlosotu lamented the staffing shortage of female doctors in the country. However, she said that MWAN is offering insights into practices that can help women feel valued and supported in their roles.
As part of the solution, she recommended childcare assistance, equitable pay, mentorship programmes, opportunities for career development, and policies that promote work-life balance for female doctors.
The immediate past national president of MWAN, Dr Lilian Adekemi Otolorin, read the goodwill message of the celebrant, Professor Oduntan.
According to her, Professor Oduntan is not celebrating herself but God, and the progress and success of the association are not due to her effort, but the collective efforts of all of its members, partners, collaborators, and beneficiaries.
Dr Otolorin, in her own comment, urged members of the association to be intentional about their health and leadership endeavours.
She also urged them to be adaptive professionals and mothers, and to be their sisters’ keepers.
“We need the political will. We need empowerment and collaboration. So, do not be shy to rub shoulders with those in power, and to be in the seat where effective changes are made,” she added.
Other members of the association and dignitaries who spoke at the event were the Immediate Past National Treasurer of the association, Dr Adeola Akintola; President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State chapter, Dr Happy Adedapo; Vice President 2 of NMA, Oyo State chapter, Dr Foluke Olaniyi-George; Professor Adeyinka Falusi from the Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF), among others.
