With two-thirds of the healthcare workforce made up of women globally, the Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare, (EWAH) has emphasised the importance of more women in healthcare leadership, lamenting the often-overlooked role women play within healthcare, adding that despite the roles, women are not visible at the top.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees for EWAH, Claire Omatseye, disclosed this during a press conference held in Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday, 5 July, 2024, to announce its 2024 Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare Award in Nigeria, where 10 Nigerian women will be recognised and celebrated for their significant contributions in the Nigerian healthcare sector.
EWAH is a Commonwealth Institute Programme now known as the Women’s Edge designed to highlight the inequities in the health system, particularly at the top.
According to Omatseye, the award which is the second in a series would honour 10 exceptional women who have made remarkable strides in various healthcare fields, adding that the EWAH Award aims to inspire more women to enter healthcare careers and pursue leadership roles.
She said last year, EWAH recognised a diverse group of awardees, including university vice-chancellors, directors from the Ministry of Health, and community leaders and this year promises to be even more remarkable, with a deputy governor and CEOs of conglomerates among the awardees. “The selection process is rigorous, ensuring that the chosen women truly embody the spirit of the programme – making a positive impact on the healthcare landscape in Nigeria.
She said EWAH is more than just an award ceremony but serves as a powerful call to action for all stakeholders in the Nigerian healthcare system, stressing the need for increased investment in healthcare education, particularly in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for young women.
“Encouraging more women to pursue careers in healthcare is crucial to strengthening the healthcare system and improving health outcomes for all Nigerians, she stated
Stating that EWA thrives on collaboration with various organisations, she said partners include the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Advantage Health, JNC International, LiveWell Initiative, and Pfizer. “These partnerships provide crucial support for the program’s success.”
Omatseye further highlighted the importance of role models. “EWAH awardees become fellows who are expected to inspire and mentor others. By showcasing the achievements of these extraordinary women, the programme creates a ripple effect, paving the way for a future where women are active leaders and changemakers in Nigerian healthcare.
Speaking in the same vein, the CEO of LWI and Regional Representative for EWAH in Africa, Dr Bisi Bright, said it was all about empowering women in Africa, adding that the programme recognises exceptional women making a difference in healthcare across Africa.
Bright said the Women’s Edge established the EWAH Awards, formerly the Commonwealth Institute focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and celebrated the “miles-to-go mindset” of awardees continuously striving for improvement.
“A key aspect of the EWAH Awards is the “miles-to-go mindset,” which recognises women who are not only making a difference today but are also committed to ongoing improvement. Unlike typical awards with public nominations and voting, the EWAH Awards feature a curated selection process to identify exceptional women across various healthcare roles, from community health workers to medical professionals and even community leaders.”
She explained that awardees are chosen based on merit and impact, not status, income, or location. “They can be healthcare professionals, community leaders, or even low-literacy individuals making a positive impact. The Nigerian chapter of the EWAH Awards is still under development and adapting the program to the local context.
“Currently, nominations are private and awardees are not announced beforehand, unlike the original EWAH model.”
She noted that the plans include establishing a fund to empower awardees, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, through training and networking opportunities.
Overall, the EWA Awards represent a growing initiative to celebrate and empower women who are driving positive change in the African healthcare landscape. “For instance, she noted that last year, one of the awardees was appointed Commissioner in Rivers state.
Also speaking, the Chief Marketing Officer for a leading insurance company and a Board member of EWAH, Mr Stanley Evans, lauded the EWAH initiative which focused on raising healthcare awareness and empowering women in the medical field.
Evans emphasised the critical nature of healthcare awareness, particularly in Africa and Nigeria. He highlighted the life-saving potential of such initiatives.
“Any circumstance where awareness is raised results in saving lives. This is a great initiative, genuinely a great initiative,” Evans remarked.
On inclusion, Evans offered a compelling example of rapid change. He referenced the recent UK general election, where the Labour Party secured a majority with a record-breaking 40 per cent female representation in parliament.
Evans acknowledged the significant female presence within the medical field but emphasised their need to reach leadership positions.
He noted that over half of the medical sector is female. Still, they’re not in the high echelons, highlighting Nigeria’s potential, Evans expressed optimism that Nigeria is the largest populated country in Africa. It’s going to get bigger and will grow with such programmes.
