The Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) is set to hold its 17th Biennial Conference in Enugu State from May 11 to 16, 2026, with stakeholders describing the gathering as a key platform for reflection, capacity building, and strengthening women’s leadership in the healthcare sector.
Speaking at a pre-conference briefing, National Chairman of ALPs, Mrs. Scholastica LAN, said this year’s theme, “Women and Resilience: Sustaining Health and Wellness in Challenging Times,” was carefully selected to reflect the increasing pressures facing women, especially those working in healthcare, amid global and socio-economic challenges.
She explained that the Enugu State chapter will host the event, which also marks the end of the tenure of the current National Executive Committee elected in 2022 during the EKO 2022 conference.
According to her, women remain central to healthcare delivery and societal wellbeing, stressing that resilience, competence, and mental strength are essential for navigating today’s demanding professional environment.
Mrs. LAN urged members to fully participate in the conference, describing it as an opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen professional capacity, and reinforce ALPs’ long-standing contributions to public health advocacy, mentorship, and community outreach.
She highlighted the association’s past interventions, including cancer awareness campaigns, diabetes and mental health advocacy, child empowerment initiatives, drug abuse education, and broader public health sensitisation programmes, noting that ALPs has grown into a respected national professional body influencing healthcare development and policy engagement.
She also raised concerns about Nigeria’s health sector, pointing to challenges such as weak infrastructure, counterfeit and substandard medicines, rising drug abuse, and the ongoing migration of health workers abroad popularly known as “Japa.”
She called for stronger regulatory enforcement, improved drug monitoring systems, and increased public awareness to combat the circulation of fake medicines, while also urging urgent reforms to improve working conditions and retain skilled healthcare professionals.
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Titilayo Onedo, said the programme has been designed to go beyond discussions, featuring sub-themes such as artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery, financial sustainability, and the mental and emotional wellbeing of women in the health sector.
She added that the conference will bring together experts, policymakers, and professionals to encourage collaboration and practical solutions to healthcare challenges.
Stakeholders at the briefing also emphasized the need for stronger drug distribution systems, improved regulation, and the establishment of state-level drug management agencies to enhance access to safe medicines, particularly in rural communities.
While acknowledging some progress in government efforts, contributors noted that significant gaps still remain in infrastructure, workforce retention, and service delivery, calling for sustained reforms and closer collaboration between government, professional bodies like the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and the media.
The conference is expected to attract participants from across Nigeria and beyond, with expectations that it will produce actionable strategies to strengthen healthcare delivery and reinforce the role of women as key drivers of transformation in the sector.
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