After three days of knowledge-packed conferences, over 150 exhibitors showcasing numerous products, and ample networking opportunities for healthcare and medical laboratory enthusiasts at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, the Medic West Africa show came to a successful close on September 28, 2023.
Day 3 kicked off with a Clinical Management Conference, themed 'Harnessing Synergy: Exploring the Potential of Group Practice in Nigeria’, with Dr. Tade Adeyemo Oladipupo, the Medical Director of Ade-Tade Hospital in Akure, Nigeria, delivering the opening remarks, setting the workshop's objectives, and introducing the facilitators and speakers.
Session 1 featured a panel discussion exploring the potential of group medical practice in Nigeria, with distinguished professionals such as Dr. Adedoyin Dosunmu-Ogunbi, Dr. Akin Sodipo, Dr. Austin Aregbeye Okogun, Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu, and Dr. Michael Azubike Ileka. Dr. Tarry Asoka discussed the synergy between group practice and health insurance for achieving Universal Health Coverage. Dr. Ebun Bamgboye highlighted the role of group practice in addressing brain drain, and Dr. Segun Ebitanmi emphasised its significance in ensuring quality healthcare.
Related: Medic West Africa drives healthcare quality and professional development
Session 2 delved into legal frameworks and succession planning within group practices, presented by Dr. Enejo Abdu and Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, respectively. The event concluded with a summary of key takeaways.
A notable highlight of Day 3 was the female leaders in healthcare brunch, chaired by Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, CEO and Founder of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist Hospital. The discussions revolved around the challenges faced by women leaders in the healthcare business, including securing finance, cultivating values, and adopting the right attitudes towards business.
Mentorship emerged as a critical element in the circle of women leaders. Dr. Tomi Coker, Hon. Commissioner of Health of Ogun State, emphasised: “Mentoring is not necessarily top to bottom but can be vertical as well, which allows for peer mentoring.”
Taiwo Ketiku, Vice President of Investments at EchoVC Partners, discussed the unique financing needs of the healthcare market. “The healthcare market is a peculiar space. Therefore, there should be specialised financial plans and options for healthcare businesses. As an expert in venture capitalism, some of the criteria we investigate before considering financial plans and options for businesses in the tech sphere include traction, background of the business, opportunities, and returns.”
In the area of business operations, Kehinde Oyesiku, Chief Business Officer of Evercare Hospital Lekki, highlighted that it is not easy getting people to understand value in this sphere. “Seeing people who need health services but cannot get it because of affordability or lack of access can be devastating.”
Related: Entering New Markets: Unlocking Africa’s Medical Technology Potential
Claire Omatseye, Managing Director and CEO of JNCI, stressed the need to translate brunch conversations into action, advocating for ongoing networking opportunities and knowledge sharing. “Women often do sisterhood but not businesshood. There is a need to create more opportunities for women to network and work together after networking. I would advise every business owner here to see their business as a growing business and not a small one. If we are to keep the momentum of this brunch, we need to arrange quarterly meetings, develop cross-cutting topics in the industry for the purpose of knowledge sharing, and have a yellow book of who is who,” she said.
Adding her voice to the conversation, Fola Akinrinlola, Indirect Channels Director Sub-Saharan Africa, General Electric Healthcare, commented on approaches that need to be considered in making the gathering an impacting group that will benefit even more women.
“The bigger value will be in allowing for a reverse style of having younger women lead and having the more experienced women guide which serves the purpose of mentorship while also having the group create opportunities for collaboration and networking among the women.”
Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi expressed gratitude to Informa Markets for putting together the brunch, “It has been an afternoon of great and impactful conversations. I am optimistic that the conversations will not end here, I look forward to where we are headed as a platform five years from now.”
Looking for more content related to the African region. Africa Health 2023 will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 17 to 19 October 2023, at the Gallagher Convention Centre. To register, click here.
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