A First For Canada: Black Medical Journal Aims To Bridge Health Gaps

This month, history was made in Edmonton. The Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists officially launched the Canadian Nigerian Medical Journal;  the first Black health journal in Canada.

The launch brought together over 1,000 Black doctors and health professionals from across the country. For many, it was more than just a publishing milestone; it was the realization of a vision 24 years in the making.

“Because of our background and culture and experiences we’ve had, we also tend to have some knowledge that is very unique, and we want to introduce that into an academic journal,” said Dr. Moses Ademola, the journal’s editor-in-chief.

A Platform for Black Health

The Canadian Nigerian Medical Journal is designed to bridge healthcare gaps for Black Canadians by sharing diagnoses, targeted treatments, and ongoing research focused on the community. Health inequities for Black Canadians are well-documented, with discrimination at individual, institutional, and societal levels impacting outcomes.

By creating a space where Black medical professionals can publish and exchange knowledge, the journal aims to shed light on issues often overlooked in mainstream publications.

Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass, a sectional head of the journal, emphasized the breadth of expertise behind it:

“Most of the people who are behind these journals have trained in two or three continents. So they are bringing knowledge, the skill set to be able to come up with this journal.”

Access for All

Unlike many academic journals with costly barriers, the Canadian Nigerian Medical Journal is peer-reviewed, international in scope, and open access. This means anyone; not just doctors, will be able to read and engage with its findings.

Deputy editor Dr. Segun Oyedokun explained, “One of the things that also stands out is we don’t expect others to pay high fees to submit their work, because we receive significant support from members.”

Moving Forward Together

For its founders, the launch is only the beginning. As Dr. Ademola put it, “There’s an African adage that says that one can run fast, many can go further. We need more help. We want to go further with this.”

The Canadian Nigerian Medical Journal represents a step toward not only improving Black health outcomes in Canada, but also amplifying the voices and expertise of Black medical professionals on a global stage.

Credits: Original reporting and photos by Jesmeen Gill, CBC News. Photos: Jesmeen Gill/CBC.