The President of PAN, Dr. Ekanem Ekure, made the call on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while addressing journalists at a press conference ahead of the Association’s 57th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference (PANConf Gateway 2026) scheduled to hold from January 21 to 23, 2026.
Dr. Ekure said the theme of PANConf Gateway 2026, which focuses on innovative funding models and technology-driven solutions, is both deliberate and timely in view of Nigeria’s high burden of preventable neonatal and under-five mortality, malnutrition, infectious diseases and inequitable access to quality child health services.
“Nigeria continues to carry an unacceptably high burden of preventable neonatal and under-five mortality, malnutrition,diseases, and inequitable access to quality child health services. These challenges demand urgent, innovative, and well-financed responses,”Dr. Ekure said.
She explained that the conference would examine key sub-themes such as sustainable child health financing in a challenging economy, the application of artificial intelligence and digital solutions in paediatric research and practice, emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases with emphasis on local vaccine production, and the role of the contemporary media in achieving Sustainable Development Goal Three (SDG-3) in Nigeria.
Dr. Ekure expressed concern that despite pockets of progress, Nigeria remains off-track in achieving SDG-3, particularly targets related to newborn and child survival.
She raised critical questions about why preventable diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, measles and diphtheria still claim the lives of Nigerian children, and why millions of children remain zero-dose or under-immunised.
“These are not rhetorical questions. They are a call to action for policymakers, partners, the private sector and society at large,” he stressed, adding that stronger political will, smarter financing, effective implementation and accountability are required to reverse the trend.
On financing child health, the PAN President said increased government spending is non-negotiable but must be complemented by innovative approaches such as public-private partnerships, blended financing mechanisms and outcome-based funding tied to measurable child health indicators.
She also emphasized the growing importance of technology in child health care delivery, noting that digital solutions can improve immunisation tracking, strengthen disease surveillance, expand access to specialist care through telemedicine, and enhance data-driven planning and research.
“Technology is not a luxury, it is now central to effective child health care delivery,” Dr. Ekure said.
She noted that hosting the conference in Ogun State was significant, given local child health concerns including environmental health risks, urbanisation-related challenges and adolescent health issues.
She reaffirmed PAN’s commitment to working with state governments to provide technical guidance and advocacy aimed at protecting children from preventable harm.
Reflecting on PAN’s recent achievements, Dr. Ekure said the association has strengthened its governance, expanded partnerships, improved financial sustainability and intensified advocacy for child-friendly policies over the past two years.
However, she noted that paediatricians must go beyond clinical excellence to serve as advocates and voices for children who cannot speak for themselves.
She therefore called on governments at all levels to prioritise child health financing, urged development partners and the private sector to invest in sustainable and accountable child health initiatives, and encouraged the media to continue amplifying evidence-based child health messages.
“The future of Nigeria is inseparable from the health of its children. PANConf Gateway 2026 is not just another conference; it is a call for accelerated action to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind,” she said.
