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By Sunday Ani
Experts have called for urgent government attention to Nigeria’s deteriorating healthcare system, even as they explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in fertility and reproductive medicine.
They made the call at the 2nd annual Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony memorial lecture at the Ayinke House, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
Guest lecturer and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Lateef Akinola, criticised the longstanding mismanagement of Nigeria’s resources, saying it is unacceptable that the country still struggles to provide quality healthcare despite its financial potential.
According to him, doctors’ welfare has been neglected for years, a situation that has been reflected in the ongoing strike by resident doctors, now in its second week.
He noted that teaching and tertiary hospitals had become dormant, with only a few staff and consultants struggling to keep services running.
He decried the impact on patients, particularly at Ayinke House, once bustling but now largely empty.
Many patients, he said, cannot afford private healthcare and risk worsening health outcomes.
He urged the government to prioritise healthcare investments across the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, especially in human resources.
“Improving remuneration, housing, and work conditions would help reduce the mass migration of medical professionals,” he said.
Nigeria currently allocates about five per cent of its GDP to health instead of the recommended 15 per cent, a gap he believes must be closed to ensure a healthier and more productive nation.
Although the lecture focused on artificial intelligence in fertility treatment, Akinola stressed that AI’s applications go far beyond medicine, extending into e-commerce, social media, education and more.
He described AI as a global revolution driving precision, automation and comfort in healthcare delivery.
Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ayinke House, Dr T.O. Otun, used the occasion to honour Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony, the philanthropist who donated the original Ayinke House to the then General Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.
She recalled that the hospital once operated with limited space, just two theatres and a small chalet for maternal care, despite being a major referral centre.
The donation, she said, introduced a world-class facility at a critical time.
Following renovations from 2010 to 2019, Ayinke House has expanded from 70 beds to 170, now equipped with Intensive Care Units (ICUs), human support units, upgraded laboratories, ultrasound units and a large pool of consultants.
A representative of the Bank-Anthony family, Funmi Bank-Anthony, described the lecture as insightful and reaffirmed the family’s commitment to sustaining Sir Mobolaji’s legacy.
She stated that the estate intends to become more involved in improving Ayinke House, noting that the late philanthropist held a deep passion for maternal health.
Speaking on behalf of the LASUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, Professor Adekoya said the institution organised the lecture not only to honour Bank-Anthony but also to inspire others to contribute meaningfully to the health sector.
He emphasised that celebrating such legacies should motivate more individuals and organisations to support healthcare development.
