By Kingsley Samuel
A former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, and founding Coordinator of the Coalition of African National Medical Associations, CANMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele, has commended CANMA and the World Medical Association, WMA, for the successful organisation of the coalition’s first Leadership Training Workshop for African physicians and National Medical Associations, NMAs.
The three-day workshop, jointly organised by CANMA and WMA, was held from Tuesday, August 18 to Thursday, August 20, 2026, in Livingstone, Zambia.
Enabulele, who served concurrently as WMA President and founding Coordinator of CANMA, said he was particularly delighted that an initiative conceived and commenced during his tenure had been successfully implemented by the current leadership of CANMA, led by Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa.
He said the successful workshop represented the fulfilment of a vision aimed at strengthening medical leadership across the African continent and enhancing the collective voice of African physicians within the WMA and other international bodies.
“I am delighted that what we dreamt of and initiated during our tenure has finally been brought to fruition by the current leadership of CANMA,” Enabulele said.
According to him, the workshop was an important step towards building the leadership capacity of African physicians and NMAs and promoting greater cooperation among medical associations across the continent.
“I am particularly pleased that this leadership workshop has achieved its core objectives of strengthening the leadership capacity of African physicians, National Medical Associations and CANMA,” he said.
“It is also important that we continue to strengthen the voice of Africa within the World Medical Association and other global bodies. This workshop provides a strong platform for achieving that objective.”
Enabulele, who was scheduled to make a presentation at the workshop titled, “Leadership, Identity, and Pan-African Solidarity,” congratulated CANMA, WMA and the host Zambia Medical Association, led by Dr Phiri Masiku, for the successful programme.
“I heartily congratulate CANMA, the World Medical Association and the Zambia Medical Association for the successful organisation of this important leadership workshop,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to individuals who contributed to the conception, planning and eventual realisation of the workshop.
Among those he acknowledged were former WMA Secretary General, Dr Otmar Kloiber, and his successor, Dr Ramin Parsa-Parsi; immediate past Presidents of the Zambia Medical Association and Kenya Medical Association, Dr Roy Tolopu Kaumba and Dr Simon Kigondu respectively; Dr Elizabeth Gitau; and the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Medical Association, SAMA, Dr Mzu Nodikida.
Enabulele also commended the current President of WMA, Dr Jacqueline Kitulu, for her contribution to the success of the initiative.
“I sincerely appreciate all those who played different roles in the process of organising this workshop, including those who contributed at the earlier stages of its initiation and planning,” he said.
“I equally appreciate all the participants whose contributions and engagement made the workshop worthwhile.”
Enabulele, who is also a former President of the Commonwealth Medical Association, CMA, expressed optimism that the gains from the workshop would be sustained and leveraged to advance the founding objectives of CANMA.
CANMA was established in October 2016 by Enabulele and other medical leaders to promote collaboration, solidarity and a stronger collective voice among African National Medical Associations.
He said the successful completion of the workshop had further demonstrated the importance of sustained collaboration among African medical associations.
“I am hopeful that the gains achieved during the workshop will be consolidated and leveraged upon to further advance the founding objectives of CANMA,” Enabulele said.
He added: “The future of African medical leadership depends significantly on our ability to work together, strengthen our institutions and ensure that the voice of African physicians is heard and respected in global health governance.”
