The Paediatrics Association of Nigeria (PAN), a professional body of doctors in Nigeria, has appointed Ekanem Ekure as the new president of its board.
Ekure is a professor of Paediatric Cardiology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and an honorary consultant at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, according to a statement
“She is a fellow of the West African College of Physicians, Faculty of Paediatrics, a doctor of medicine from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine and American College of Cardiology,” it said.
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It added that she is a postgraduate examiner of the West African College of Physicians, and an immediate past coordinator (academics) for WACP, the Royal College of Physicians.
“As the sixth female PAN president, I am blessed to have around me five great female past PAN presidents who have been my mentors and role models over the years, and look forward to their continual guidance. Thank you, Adenike Grange, Kikelomo Osinusi, Ifeoma Egbuonu, Dorothy Esangbedo, and Ngozi Ibeziako,” Ekure said during the inauguration.
She highlighted her awareness of the great responsibility that comes with the position and why she needs to champion the needs of both children and healthcare workers.
“About 102 million children live in Nigeria and that’s 49 percent of our population. Nearly half of them live below the poverty line. The current state of child health in Nigeria is a complex and challenging issue that requires urgent attention and action from all stakeholders involved in the health sector,” she added.
She expressed her commitment to fostering a shared vision with the incoming PAN executive that would transform PAN into a dynamic and influential organization that upholds its core values and empowers leaders to bring about positive change in child health outcomes across Nigeria.
