In this engaging conversation, Dr. Bagudu shares her journey from medical training in Nigeria and the UK to becoming President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). We discuss her pioneering cancer advocacy, including leading one of Nigeria’s largest annual cancer walks, and explore the pressing issues affecting the country’s healthcare system, from diagnostic gaps and cancer advocacy to maternal health, brain drain, and the urgent need for reform.
Joining us is Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, one of Nigeria’s most respected voices in healthcare advocacy. A paediatrician, cancer control champion, and global health leader, she’s the founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and Medicaid Radio-Diagnostics & Clinics, the first comprehensive diagnostic centre in Abuja. Her work bridges clinical care, public health reform, and global policy, making her a formidable force in the fight for better healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.
Our conversation covers:
What training and practising medicine in Nigeria and the UK reveal about building stronger health systems
Why Dr. Bagudu founded the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and the urgent gaps it addresses in cancer care
The impact of leading one of Nigeria’s largest cancer awareness walks and why such campaigns matter
The hard truths behind Nigeria’s maternal and infant mortality rates and what we’re still failing to confront
How the brain drain of doctors affects the nation and whether there’s still hope for change
Whether you work in healthcare, policy, or simply care about the future of health in Nigeria, this episode offers valuable insights, hard truths, and a call to action.
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