Despite their significant contribution to healthcare delivery globally, women remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making positions within the health sector, stakeholders have said, calling for deliberate efforts to close the gap and promote more inclusive healthcare systems.
The concern was raised at the 2026 edition of the Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare (EWAH) Awards held in Lagos, where healthcare professionals, policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and development partners gathered to celebrate women driving innovation, access and transformation across Africa’s healthcare landscape.
The third edition of the awards, organised by the LiveWell Initiative (LWI) and the Sustainability Centre of the Global Public Health University (GPHU), in collaboration with Innovara Inc., USA, and the EWAH Nigeria Board, also renewed advocacy for stronger female representation in healthcare leadership.
Delivering the opening address, Regional Representative of EWAH Africa, Dr Bisi Bright, said the initiative was established not only to recognise exceptional women making measurable contributions to healthcare but also to spotlight the persistent leadership imbalance affecting the sector.
Bright noted that women account for more than 67 per cent of the global healthcare workforce but continue to occupy a limited number of leadership positions despite being central to healthcare delivery.
She described the disparity as a structural challenge requiring intentional interventions, stressing that healthcare systems cannot achieve their full potential when a significant part of the workforce remains inadequately represented in decision-making spaces.
According to her, EWAH recognises women with what she described as a “miles-to-go mindset”, leaders whose achievements represent a foundation for greater service, innovation and impact.
Chairman of the EWAH Advisory Board, Clare Omatseye, described the awards as a growing continental movement committed to strengthening healthcare systems through inclusive leadership.
She stressed that healthcare leadership must remain people-centred, noting that every policy decision and investment ultimately affects patients, families and communities.
Omatseye called for stronger collaboration between men and women in leadership, warning that excluding women from decision-making weakens health systems and limits opportunities for innovation and improved outcomes.
The Global Matron and Founder Emeritus of EWAH, Prof. Barri M. Blauvelt, founder and chief executive officer of Innovara Inc., USA, also emphasised the need for sustained investment in women-led healthcare leadership.
Representing Senator Danjuma, Managing Director of May & Baker Nigeria Plc, and Matron of EWAH, Pharm. Patrick Ajah, described women as indispensable to leadership excellence, institutional growth and national development.
He said Senator Danjuma remains an example of visionary leadership, disciplined service and corporate governance, adding that women continue to play critical roles in shaping healthcare institutions.
The 2026 EWAH Awards recognised outstanding women across healthcare leadership, innovation, regulation, media, philanthropy and community health systems strengthening.
Among the recipients was Dr Elizabeth Jack-Rich, founder of Elin Group Limited, honoured for her healthcare, educational and humanitarian interventions through the Elizabeth Jack-Rich Aid Foundation.
Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, was recognised for strengthening pharmaceutical regulation and medicine safety in Nigeria.
Dr Pamela Jackson-Ajayi, founder of Pathcare/SYNLAB Nigeria and chairman of The Bridge Clinic, was honoured for advancing diagnostic and fertility care, while Dr Njide Ndili received recognition for her contributions to healthcare financing, digital health and universal health coverage.
Pharm. Abimbola Adebakin was recognised for leveraging technology to improve access to medicines and pharmaceutical distribution, while other recipients included Osayi Alile for philanthropy and public health initiatives, Adenike Fasawe for grassroots immunisation programmes, Angela Emuwa for media advocacy and healthcare access, Dr Oluwatomi Kogo for preventive healthcare and lifestyle medicine, and Vivianne Ihekweazu for health communication, public health security and maternal-child health advocacy.
