CANMA leadership workshop fulfils African medical leadership vision — Enabulele

By Chioma Obinna

A past President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and founding coordinator of the Coalition of African National Medical Associations (CANMA), Dr Osahon Enabulele, has congratulated African physicians, CANMA, the World Medical Association (WMA) and National Medical Associations (NMAs) across the continent on the successful completion of CANMA’s first Leadership Training Workshop.

The three-day workshop, jointly organised by CANMA and the WMA, was held from August 18 to 20, 2026, in Livingstone, Zambia, with the aim of strengthening leadership capacity among African physicians and medical associations and amplifying Africa’s voice in global medical governance.

Enabulele, who initiated the leadership summit and secured the support of the WMA during his concurrent tenure as WMA President and founding coordinator of CANMA, said he was delighted that an initiative conceived during his tenure had finally become a reality.

He said: “I am delighted that what we dreamt of and initiated during our tenure has been brought to fruition by the leadership of CANMA under Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa.

“This leadership workshop represents an important step towards strengthening the leadership capacity of African physicians and National Medical Associations, while also strengthening the voice of Africa within the WMA and other global bodies.”

Enabulele, who was scheduled to deliver a presentation titled, “Leadership, Identity, and Pan-African Solidarity,” at the workshop, said the programme had achieved its key objectives and would provide a platform for African medical leaders to work collectively in advancing the interests of the profession and healthcare on the continent.

He particularly congratulated CANMA, the WMA and the host Zambia Medical Association, led by Dr Phiri Masiku, for the successful organisation of the workshop.

The former NMA President also commended individuals who contributed to the conception, planning and eventual implementation of the programme.
He acknowledged the roles played by former WMA Secretary-General, Dr Otmar Kloiber, 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, Dr Mzu Nodikida.
He also appreciated the current President of the WMA, Dr Jacqueline Kitulu, for her contribution towards the success of the initiative.
Enabulele thanked all participants and stakeholders who contributed to making the workshop successful, stressing that the collective efforts of African medical leaders remained essential to advancing the continent’s healthcare agenda.
With the successful completion of the workshop, he expressed optimism that its gains would be sustained and built upon to further advance the founding objectives of CANMA.
CANMA was established in October 2016 by Enabulele and other African medical leaders to provide a platform for National Medical Associations across Africa to collaborate, strengthen medical leadership and promote a stronger collective voice for the continent in international medical affairs.