Medical Consultant Njelita Receives NMA Merit Award as Awka Zone Finishes Doctors Week

An associate professor and consultant in community medicine, Dr Ifeoma Njelita, has been honored with an award for meritorious services to the development of the sector.

Njelita was conferred the honor during the 2026 edition of the Nigerian Medical Association Doctors Week and Scientific Conference, Awka Zone in Awka on Saturday.

The theme of the week, luncheon and awards ceremony was “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa”.

The subthemes were “Saving Savers: Promoting physician well-being and preventing burnout, cardiovascular disease, and premature death” and “Transforming Medicine: Leveraging digital health, innovation, and future-ready medical education.”

Njelita, a practicing doctor and medical teacher, is the wife of Dr. Chukwudi Njelita and Medical Director of Rick Foundation Hospital, Awka, and a mother of two doctors.

According to the NMA, the meritorious award was in recognition of Njelita’s outstanding professional contributions, exemplary leadership in the delivery of health services, commitment to institutional capacity building, advancement in medical practice and dedication to promoting the well-being of the people of Anambra State.

“The honor recognizes the value of continued service, scholarship, mentorship and leadership in advancing the medical profession and improving the health of society,” he said.

Other awardees were Dr Emmanuel Umenweke, a doctor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical Centre, Awka and Dr Amaka Ezeno, a lawyer and member of Life Bench.

They were also recognized for their contributions to medicine and the association respectively.

In his welcome speech, Prof. Tim-Uzoma Mbaeri, Chairman of NMA, Awka Zone said that apart from honoring the awardees, the association used the event to reach out to ailing colleagues, provide free laboratory tests including prostate specific antigen tests and urinalysis, among others.

Mbaeri appreciated the members and partners of the NMA, Awka branch, whose contributions ensured the success of the Doctors’ Week.

The event was chaired by Dr. Udoka Imagie and was attended by renowned personalities from the medical profession, including Dr. Ndubuisi Arua, President of NMA, Anambra State Chapter.