As the world marks World Family Doctors Day 2025, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has issued a powerful call for urgent investments in Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, describing family doctors as “unsung heroes” on the frontlines of national resilience.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (FCT/Keffi chapter) in Abuja, Mahmoud warned that Nigeria cannot meet its health goals without robust, accessible care at the community level.
Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Austine Elemue in a statement on Monday quoted her to have said,
“Family doctors are the backbone of our health system. They don’t just treat illness—they build the mental and emotional strength of our people,” she said.
According to the statement, the theme of this year’s celebration, “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,” comes at a time of mounting global stress from climate change, economic instability, and social upheaval.
Mahmoud underscored the vital role family physicians play in mental health support, particularly in underserved areas where specialists are scarce.
“From rural outposts to urban clinics, family doctors are often the only health lifeline people have. We must invest in them—train them, support them, retain them.”
She called on governments at all levels to scale up recruitment, infrastructure, and recognition of family medicine, warning that ignoring primary healthcare weakens national preparedness for both chronic conditions and future crises.
In her remarks, Chair of the FCT-Keffi chapter, Dr. Ngozi Mmamelu, echoed the Minister’s concerns, citing limited access to mental health services and widespread stigma.
“Family doctors can fill the gap—screening for mental health issues early, offering basic support, and helping patients navigate treatment,” she said.
Mmamelu stressed the urgency of integrating mental health services into primary care, urging policymakers to empower family physicians as critical gatekeepers.
World Family Doctors Day, observed annually on May 19, celebrates the founding of WONCA in 1972—a milestone in global efforts to unify and elevate family medicine.
