My Experience at the Africa Youth Health Summit -By Saifullahi Attahir

I had the privilege of attending the Africa Youth Health Summit, organized by the Federation of African Medical Students’ Associations (FAMSA). The three-day event, held from September 11th to 14th, brought together over 200 passionate healthcare students and professionals at the United Nations House in Abuja.

It was a highly engaging program aimed at learning, networking, and shaping the future of healthcare in Africa. Delegates came from across the continent, representing diverse cultures, languages, backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities.

We had the honour of listening to representatives from major organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the United Nations, the Nigerian Ministry of Youth, IT experts, and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Numerous hands-on workshops were held on topics including public health advocacy, cutting-edge cancer management, transformational leadership, reproductive health issues, and health policy formulation.

One of the most memorable moments for me was sitting beside Nigeria’s Minister of Youth, Mr. Ayodele I even got a photo with him!

As part of the summit activities, we visited some remarkable places including the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), the Nike Art Gallery, and Abuja Magic Land.

The AMCE is a state-of-the-art facility developed by Afreximbank to reduce the trend of medical tourism from Africa to Europe. The center mirrors King’s College Hospital in London, both in its advanced medical technologies and professional expertise.

My visit to the Nike Art Gallery left a lasting impression on me. It was inspiring to see how art canis transform waste into beauty and economic value. Some of the incredible artworkss were made entirely from discarded materials. It reminded me that Nigeria is brimming with untapped potential and creative brilliance.

As President of the National Association of Jigawa State Medical Students (NAJIMS) National Body, I used this summit as an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, share ideas, raise awareness about the health challenges in Jigawa State, and put our region on the African healthcare map.

I am deeply aware of the pressing healthcare issues in Jigawa—ranging from high maternal and infant mortality rates, vaccine misconceptions, mental health challenges, to inadequate infrastructure and manpower.

I now feel better equipped with the knowledge and connections to make a positive impact on my state and fellow medical students back home.

Panel sessions covered vital topics such as the role of Artificial Intelligence in medical practice, data-driven research, the ‘Japa’ syndrome, and youth inclusion in healthcare leadership.

Attending this summit was a priceless investment. The experience was transformative and the exposure invaluable. I truly enjoy traveling to impactful events like this—it pushes me out of my comfort zone, connects me with passionate individuals, and offers lessons that no textbook or classroom could ever fully teach.

Attahir

President, National Association of Jigawa State Medical Students (NAJIMS). saifullahiattahir93@gmail.com