The West African College of Physicians (WACP), Nigeria Chapter, has called for stronger investment in Nigeria's healthcare system through sustainable financing, improved infrastructure and the integration of technology into medical education.

The recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the college's 50th Annual and General Scientific Meeting (AGSM) held in Ibadan from July 5 to 11.

The communiqué, signed by the chapter's Chairman, Benjamin Uzochukwu, and National Secretary, Sunday Malomo, followed a week-long conference attended by 434 medical doctors under the theme, "Building Bridges, Forging Resilience and Partnership in Health."

The college urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and state health insurance agencies to ensure the prompt and full release of funds under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.

WACP also appealed to the Federal and State Ministries responsible for Power, Water Resources and Sanitation to provide uninterrupted electricity and reliable water supply to public healthcare facilities, stressing that essential services are critical for quality patient care.

The physicians further encouraged the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and corresponding state agencies to bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural communities by ensuring equitable access to quality medical services.

On medical education, the college recommended that the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and WACP, establish minimum standards for training facilities across accredited institutions.

It also urged governing boards of teaching hospitals and federal medical centres to strengthen multidisciplinary healthcare delivery while calling on both federal and state governments to introduce incentives that would encourage doctors to accept and remain in rural postings.

The communiqué further appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to expand funding for medical research, while recommending stronger collaboration between the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and WACP to harness the expertise of Nigerian health professionals living abroad.

Regarding the use of technology in healthcare training, the college proposed a three-stage implementation strategy focused on identifying existing gaps, deploying practical digital solutions and expanding successful pilot programmes.

According to WACP, technology should serve as a tool to improve medical education without replacing bedside clinical training, which remains fundamental to producing competent healthcare professionals.

The college also urged the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and TETFund to invest in digital infrastructure for medical schools and training institutions.

It further recommended that the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria work with WACP to establish national standards for technology-enabled medical education.

On patient care, WACP called on chief medical directors and hospital management boards to reduce waiting times, improve registration and triage systems, enhance communication regarding laboratory tests, referrals and billing processes, and establish effective referral and feedback mechanisms between healthcare facilities.

The college also advised hospital quality improvement and clinical governance units to conduct regular patient satisfaction surveys and promptly implement corrective measures to improve the overall healthcare experience.