Family doctors gathered at the 7th WONCA Africa Region Conference

The 7th WONCA Africa Region Conference was organised in Abuja, Nigeria on 24–26 November.

WONCA Africa President Dr Dan Abubakar, and his team Dr Austin Aipoh, Dr Blessing Chukwukelu, Dr Dako Mamudu, and Dr Olusola Oluwasuen worked with passion and determination for a successful conference. The three WONCA Member Organisations of Nigeria and their leaders Dr Kayode Adesola, Dr Nicholas Baamlong and Prof Musa Dankyau, were united by the effort to bring together the African community for the first time in-person after the onset of the pandemic.

During the preconference day, there were sessions organised by the African Chapter of the WONCA Working Party on Women in Family Medicine and the Afriwon Movement.

Dr Anna Stavdal, WONCA President, and Dr Harris Lygidakis, WONCA CEO, visited Abuja to support the region. Prior to the conference they met with the residents at the Family Medicine Department at the Abuja National Hospital; visited practices where they gained insight into the context, challenges and aspirations of the Nigerian colleagues; and spoke with colleagues and leaders of the broader Africa region. They also had the opportunity to the meet with Dame Pauline Tallen, Minister for Women Affairs Minister and Social Development of Nigeria, who was about to launch the campaign of 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.