Healthcare Heroes Shine as Dove Awards 2025 Voting Nears End

With just two weeks left before voting closes, the Dove Healthcare Awards 2025 has entered its final phase. The third edition of the event will take place on December 5 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, and will honour individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to healthcare in Nigeria.

Organised by the Dove Healthcare Foundation, the ceremony is themed “Celebrating Excellence and Innovation in Healthcare.” Public voting, which closes on October 17, is open to both healthcare professionals and members of the public.

Project Coordinator, Dr. Bola Otegbayo, said the initiative provides a platform to recognise healthcare professionals who often work without acknowledgment. “Every vote is a voice in support of healthcare excellence in Nigeria,” she explained.

Since its establishment in 2017, the Dove Healthcare Foundation has recognised professionals and institutions across medicine, public health, hospital administration, and pharmaceutical development. Notable past honourees include Emeritus Professor Ayodele Falase, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and a pioneer in cardiology, and Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Institutions such as Fidson Healthcare, UCH Ibadan, and Caroline Medical Centre Abuja have also been recognised in previous editions. Categories cover areas including pharmaceutical innovation, hospital management, fertility treatment, dialysis, eye care, and government healthcare programmes.

In 2024, Fidson Healthcare was named Most Outstanding Pharmaceutical Company, while St. Ives Specialist Hospital in Lagos won Most Outstanding Fertility Hospital. The Delta State Contributory Health Commission was also recognised for expanding access to healthcare through insurance schemes. Cynard Eye in Port Harcourt and Caroline Medical Centre Abuja received awards in the eye care and dialysis categories, respectively.

The awards have also extended to international recipients. Ebury Court Care Services in the UK received the Most Outstanding Healthcare Team of the Year award in 2024, while NIPRO Medical Europe was named Most Outstanding Dialysis Equipment Manufacturer.

“This shows that excellence in healthcare knows no borders,” said Mrs. Rachael Abe, Managing Director of Ebury Court Care Services, who travelled to Lagos to receive the award.

Organisers are encouraging Nigerians to participate in the ongoing voting process before the October 17 deadline via the official website. “We want this to be the people’s award – a true reflection of appreciation for those who keep us healthy, often behind the scenes,” Dr. Otegbayo said.

According to the foundation, the awards aim not only to celebrate achievement but also to inspire higher standards of care and commitment in the country’s health sector.