Category: Health

A major breakthrough in healthcare delivery was recorded on February 15 by the Akwa Ibom State Government in the area of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery when a  team of medical doctors performed first full implantation of transveinus cardiac pacemaker on two patients, using state-of-the-art medical facilities installed at the newly remodelled General Hospital, Awa, Onna Local Government Area.

The feat was achieved by the combined efforts of specialists drawn from various fields of medicine in government owned hospitals in the state, in collaboration with renowned cardiothoracic surgeons, Prof. Eyo Ekpe, and Dr. Ezekiel Ogunleye of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, respectively.

During a review of the operations at the Conference Room of the hospital where the two procedures carried out in the newly remodelled theatre was beamed to journalists, medical officers, observers, and patients’ family members, through a giant size television screen, Prof. Ekpe, who was the leader of the medical team said they carried out the procedures using 21st-centurymedicare approach, aided by an advanced medical imagery device called the C-Armmachine.

He added that the procedure that was carried out was a transvenous cardiac pacemaker, which is done by implanting a small battery-operated device under the patient’s skin. It is technically connected to what is called a lead that links to the heart, which sends regular electrical impulses that helps keep your heart beating regularly.

According to him: “This hospital has a fully functional state-of-the-art theater, so when we were told that we were going to carry out a cardiac pacemaker insertion in this hospital, I knew we were in the right place for such a procedure.

“Coincidentally, the two patients are females, who suffered heart block but thanks to God Almighty and Governor Udom Emmanuel, who made this possible. I know that this is the first of these kinds of sessions of treatments that would be done in this hospital and in many other hospitals in the state”.

Dr. Ezekiel Ogunleye of Lagos State Teaching Hospital said: “There are some States in Nigeria that don’t have C-Arm machines in any of their hospitals. So, for the Akwa Ibom State Government to have bought these machines, they deserve commendations.

“Doctors are not magicians. It is the equipment that you provide that they will work with. So when we see one like this, especially from a government hospital providing the best equipment, we should encourage them to do more, and then other states will copy them. “

 Dr. Catherine Eyo of the Department of Anesthesia, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, said she was excited about the fact that such complicated medical procedures could be achieved successfully in the State, without having to send the patients for treatment abroad. 

“I am proud of my identity as a citizen of the state. I want to appreciate the Governor for what he has done for the state. The equipment I saw in the theatre are the best. I know that there are many more of this type of cases out there, and when they know that cases of this nature can be treated here, they will come to draw the benefits of this hospital”.

Dr. Ekem John, a member of the medical team has said that the renaissance in infrastructure and medical personnel witnessed in Akwa Ibom State, was as a result of the priority accorded the sector by Governor Udom Emmanuel, through his Completion Agenda. 

“If you go around healthcare facilities in the state, you will notice that the governor’s vision for quality healthcare delivery is being translated into visible reality, and with this kind of breakthrough, the state will soon become a destination for medical tourism in Nigeria,” he said.

This development, according to experts, will reinforce public confidence in the health sector of the state. At the time of filing this report, the two females operated upon were still recuperating at the General Hospital, pending their discharge by the medical team, to reunite with their families and continue with their normal life. The entire cost of these pilot cardiac pacemaker procedures was borne by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

With cancer burden growing rapidly in almost every country, experts are worried that its prevention and prohibitive cost of care are a huge public health challenge that should be tackled by all stakeholders. In this report, CHINYERE OKOROAFOR writes on how the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, is lessening the cancer burden in the country

As the second leading cause of death globally, cancer kills about 10 million people yearly, with 70 per cent of cancer death occurring in low and middle income countries like Nigeria. But, according to experts, more than 40 per cent of cancer-related deaths are preventable.

This, they said, could be achieved through modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, poor diet, physical inactivity, routine screening, early detection and treatment.

According to the Frontiers in Oncology report, Nigeria has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the world, with an estimated 72,000 cancer deaths occurring yearly and 102,000 new cases diagnosed from its population of 200 million people.

To stem the tide of the cancer scourge, experts at this year’s World Cancer Day used the opportunity to restate the causes of cancer and advised on how it can be prevented. For the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre (NLCC), it was also time to present its scorecard and list of its advanced equipment to enlighten  Nigerians who think that cancer cannot be handled in the country.

At the briefing and enlightenment organised by NLCC, experts identified lifestyle factors as a major cause of cancer. They said that more than 40 per cent of cancer-related deaths are preventable as they are linked to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, poor diet and physical inactivity with at least one-third of deaths prevented through routine screening, early detection and treatment.

At the world cancer awareness day  themed “Close the Care Gap,” the Director of NLCC, Dr Lilian Ekpo, called on Nigerians to prevent cancer by adopting lifestyles that can prevent its occurrence, which is to go for regular screening to detect it early if it occurs and get treatment on time when diagnosed with the condition.

She said: “Eating right with vegetables, fresh fruits, tiger-nuts milk and engaging in exercise, moving and walking long distances are ways of preventing cancer.”

She said millions of people can beat cancer if they embrace resource-appropriate strategies for prevention, early detection and treatment.

“But, sadly, we have identified inequality in cancer care; the people who seek cancer care usually hit barriers at every turn and we have also identified income, education, location and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age disability and lifestyle as some of the factors that can negatively affect care.

“You can believe God and still go to the doctor because it is God that gives the doctor the wisdom to know what to do, going to see a doctor does not negate your faith,” Ekpo  advised Nigerians.

On what the Federal Government is doing to tackle the scourge, Ekpo said the government has made huge investments towards the treatment of cancer.The government, through the NLCC, has successfully carried out over 6,231 chemotherapy treatments, 3,997 radiotherapy treatments and 97 brachytherapy treatments since 2019 when it commenced operation.

“We have state-of-the-art machines that can give effective radiotherapy to patients with cancer as well as chemotherapy meditation that are necessary so that people can get the treatment they need.

“At NLCC, we also have two radiotherapy wings containing two vital beam linear accelerators and one Halcyon linear accelerator, two chemotherapy suites, one general electric CT Simulator, one C-Arm Machine and Ultrasound machines.

“We are the first centre to offer world-standard curative three-dimensional high-dose-rate brachytherapy for gynaecological cancers in Nigeria and West Africa.

“The first centre in West Africa with stereotactic body radiotherapy and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy capability and the first centre in West Africa with a fully staffed and expert-trained pediatric radiation oncology unit with over 200 children treatment,” she said.

Ekpo also advocated the full enforcement of the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA), which ensures that Nigerians have insurance coverage to include cancer treatment and management.

“That way, more Nigerians would go for routine screening and we will pick cases at an early stage, because at stage one, for instance, there is over 95 per cent survival rate,” she added.

Similarly, the Consultant, Radiation/Clinical Oncologist, Dr Bolanle Adegboyega said that to avoid cancer, people should run away from fried and fatty foods, and when they reaches 50 and above, they should avoid red meat.

On the detection of any symptoms of cancer, the Consultant, Radiation/Clinical Oncologist, Dr Godwin Uwagba, said the first thing to do is to go to the hospital for diagnosis to identify the type of cancer so that relevant treatment could be affected.

The Consultant, Radiation/Clinical Oncologist, Dr Mohammad Habeebu, said causes of cancer could be sub-divided into inherent and environmental factors, adding that the latter could be prevented by avoiding junk, fatty diets, diets that have chemical preservatives, cigarette smoking, alcohol, as well as exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, who was represented by the chairman, LUTH’s Medical Advisory Council (CMAC), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said the cancer scourge needs to be controlled, stressing that one way to do that is through early detection. “If we allow the NHIA to work, health care in Nigeria will be better, in that all Nigerians would have insurance coverage,” he said.

The Lagos State Government has widened the scope of its health insurance called Ilera Eko Social Health Insurance Plan by introducing more health benefits for public servants on the standard plan benefits package.

The additional health benefits are geared towards accommodating care for medical conditions which were not covered in the standard plan.

This includes coverage of high technology CT scan and MRI in case of life-threatening conditions and emergencies; ward admission and prolonged bed rest with maximum of 90 days, treatment of cancer; cataract removal surgery; removal of large fibroids; provision of prosthetic limbs, renal dialysis and extension of family plan coverage by one year for public servants on oracle who retires with effect from January 2022.

This was disclosed during a joint briefing and sensitisation among union leaders in the public service in Lagos State on Ilera Eko additional benefit package to civil servants, which held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium.

The Head of Service, Lagos State Public Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the state government designed the benefits to support public servants by covering more medical conditions and ensurre that public servants and their family members have access to quality and affordable health care services.

“At the last engagement with the Lagos State Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), the agency promised to review the scheme to see how benefits can be improved without changing the premiums payable. I am happy that the agency has not only kept its promise, but at the same time is also unveiling additional benefits on the health plan to civil servants, at no extra cost. As part of the New Initiative for You, the agency has designed a support program for public servants to accommodate medical conditions that are not covered under the standard benefit plan,” he said.

The Head of Service, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Ogundeko Sesan, also said the state government has also introduced a trans-border healthcare provision for Lagos public servants residing in Ogun State to enable public servants residing in Ogun to have access to quality health services.

“We are also aware that a number of Lagos State Civil Servants living across the border in Ogun State were unable to benefit from the scheme as only Hospitals in Lagos State had hitherto participated in the Scheme. It is gratifying to note that this is now a thing of the past.

“I must appreciate the Government of Ogun State, the Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, as well as the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency, for supporting us in our commitment to leaving no one behind,” he said.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, stated that the free new package initiative, will be a great relief for public servants who reside on the border of Ogun and Lagos states and will ensure that the affected public servants and their families have equal access to quality health care services.

Abayomi, who was represented by the Chairman, Health Services Commission, Dr Atinuke Onayiga, explained further that the agency has also provided tele-medicine services for public servants free. She added that public servants would have access to quality care as enrolled public servants and their family members could speak with doctors via phone call and messages at any time.

“The agency also made available Telemedicine – Eko Telemed – 0800EKOMED  (08000EKOMED) 08000356633 at no cost to civil servants. This will ensure that public servants have 24/7 access to quality care as all enrolled public servants and their families can speak to doctors via phone call WhatsApp or Video call any time of the day,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, explained that health insurance is mandatory and the government is  providing a sustainable health care without leaving anyone behind.

“It is a really good thing that health insurance has come to stay in Lagos State and that is moving along. Health insurance is actually mandatory in this country and because Lagos State has taken the lead in establishing its own agency, you can be sure that you have a more advanced package than most people. We have more hospitals than most other places, we have more doctors than most other places and so the access to services will be a lot better for the same price or even less than most other places”.  He said.

Ogboye, however, urged public servants to take good advantage of the insurance packages and select health facilities closest to them, noting that the new insurance package now  include pre-existing conditions like TB and HIV that was not initially covered.

“So, choose the facility that you want to register with. The package has been improved; we have added more services, including pre-existing conditions, TB and HIV that were not covered before for the same premium at no cost,” he said.

Also, the General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr. Emanuella Zamba, assured that the agency will continue to monitor the utilisation of the resources such that Lagosian have access to sustainable health care as promised by the present administration.

Zamba, however, praised the Ogun State Government for partnering the Lagos State Government.

Nigeria has recorded 763 (501 male, 261 female) confirmed cases of Monkeypox diseases from thirty-four (34) states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as of January 1, 2023, according to the latest epidemiological data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Of the states with the cases of Monkeypox in the country, Lagos leads with 188 cases, followed by Abia (58), Bayelsa (45), Imo (45), Ogun (40), Ondo (40) Rivers (37), and Delta (31).

Others are: Edo (27), Anambra (25), FCT (23), Kwara (21), Nasarawa (17), Adamawa (16), Plateau (16), Kaduna (15), Cross River (12), Ebonyi (12), Akwa Ibom (12), Borno (11), Benue (10), Oyo (10), Katsina (8), Taraba (7), Kano (7), Gombe (6), Kogi (5), Osun (5), Enugu (4), Kebbi (2), Niger (1), Bauchi (1), Zamfara (1), Not specified (1), Ekiti (1), Yobe (1).

Furthermore, seven associated deaths were recorded from seven states last year, namely: Delta (1), Lagos (1), Ondo (1), Akwa Ibom (1), Kogi (1), Taraba (1), and Imo (1).

Since the re-emergence of Monkeypox in September 2017, 989 confirmed cases have been reported from 34 states and FCT.

Similarly, the NCDC data obtained by The Nation also revealed that as of January 29, 2023, the country recorded 361 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, with 53 deaths reported from 18 states and 67 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The NCDC said: “74 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo and Taraba) while 26 per cent were reported from 11 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.

“Of the 74 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 36 per cent, Edo 31 per cent, and Taraba 7 per cent. The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9.

Read Also : Plateau records seven monkey pox cases

“The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022. One new Healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 4 (January 22 to 29, 2023).

“National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.”

Millions of Nigerian women are among others in an initial 31 countries covering the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia that will benefit from a major transformation in breast care. This is courtesy of a new distribution agreement announced this week between the Abdul Latif Jameel Health and iSono Health that will see the former become the exclusive distributor of iSono Health’s ATUSA scanner in the Global South.

 Abdul Latif Jameel Health is part of international diversified family business, Abdul Latif Jameel, while iSono Health is a medical technology company based in San Francisco, United States, with the vision to transform breast care with automated imaging and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

 The partnership between Abdul Latif Jameel Health and iSono Health was announced on the first day of the ‘Arab Health 2023,’ the Middle East’s most influential healthcare event. It will make the ATUSA scanner available to hundreds of millions of women in an initial 31 countries covering the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The patented and FDA-cleared ATUSA system is a compact ultrasound scanner that captures 3D images through automated scanning of the whole breast in just two minutes, independent of operator expertise.

 The device connects to laptop or tablet for real-time image acquisition and 3D visualisation; the data is transferred to a secure cloud for storage. The ATUSA system is designed from ground up to seamlessly integrate with machine learning models that will give physicians a comprehensive set of tools for decision making and patient management. The female-founded iSono Health is transforming breast imaging with a first-of-its-kind, compact automated whole breast ultrasound system featuring a unique wearable accessory and an intuitive, intelligent software for automated image acquisition and analysis.

 Founder and CEO, iSono Health, Maryam Ziaei, said: “This new partnership is a significant milestone in our history and an important step forward in making our ATUSA scanner accessible to millions more women across the world. Working with Abdul Latif Jameel Health will empower so many more women to access the healthcare they need, to improve patient experiences and to bring peace of mind.

 “We have been able to develop a scanner which takes two minutes to scan and makes breast imaging painless and convenient.  We’re very much looking forward to bringing this technology to the region and making a lasting, sustainable impact.”

 According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent cancer; one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.  Access to personalised and efficient breast imaging is critical in every step of patient journey from screening to detection to treatment, surgery, and monitoring.

 Ziaei added that the ATUSA system was designed to offer enhanced efficiency, consistent accuracy, and a comfortable patient experience, therefore making 3D breast ultrasound imaging accessible to patients and physicians at point of care, around the world. Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Latif Jameel Health, Akram Bouchenaki, said: “Working with Maryam Ziaei, and Shadi Saberi, co-founders with PhDs in Engineering, and the whole iSono Health team has made it clear what a perfect synergy we share in our vision to improve access to healthcare, eliminate the disparity in health equity across the world, and how using state of the art health tech will help us achieve these goals.

 Akram Bouchenaki further said: “Their ATUSA scanner is one of the most innovative pieces of technology I have witnessed in my career, and I know it will very soon become one of the most valuable products used by physicians and for healthcare systems. This is an important moment for those in medical imaging but more importantly for women’s health across the Global South.”

  Last year, Abdul Latif Jameel Health announced the creation of its new international commercial ecosystem, helping to accelerate access to modern medical care and drive health inclusivity across the Global South.

Medical experts have come up with ways Nigeria can adopt to reposition and rebuild its healthcare ecosystem. The rebuilding can take place if the country strengthens its health information system and embraces the use of evidence-linked planning for resource allocation and utilization.

 While speaking at the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) 2023 Annual Conference themed, ‘Building the Healthcare of our future,’ experts said collaboration and collective responsibility are needed to create a sustainable and inclusive healthcare ecosystem in Nigeria. Dr Pamela Ajayi, president of HFN, stated: “Rather than focusing on challenges, we are focusing on the solutions. So, we are having conversations around ‘Fiscal Framework for Promotion of Healthcare Sector Investment in Nigeria’, and ‘Healthcare Investment and Financing’. We are also talking about the new National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act.

 “We need improvements to the health information system, regular and sustainable population and health-facility-based surveys, and a functioning vital statistics and civil registration system. We also need to strengthen the use of evidence-linked planning for resource allocation and utilization,” Ajayi said.

 In his speech, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, called for collaboration among various government agencies and the private sector for sustainable and inclusive healthcare delivery. The minister lauded the efforts undertaken by HFN and expressed his gratitude to the private sector for its support and the partnership it has developed with the public sector. Speaking on the difficulties faced in importing medical items such as HS (harmonised system) codes, Ehanire said: “You can create a group that will be able to work with Customs to identify what items are coming in and what tariff should be on it continuously. We want to support not only the public sector but the private sector as well and our goal is to have universal health coverage, and quality health services,” he said. Ehanire also called on stakeholders to collaborate with the Nigerian Customs to harmonize tariffs on imported medical equipment.

 According to Ehanire, the Federal Government is set to implement a “One for One Replacement” strategy to close the gaps of doctors leaving the country. The ‘One for One’ strategy entails the replacement of a doctor immediately after he or she leaves. “In the past, it was abused as departing doctors replaced themselves with relatives or others that added no value to the system. So, ‘One for One’ ensures that it is strictly the same profession. And we have warned all medical directors to comply.

 “There are lots of doctors in this country who are not employed and some can’t even find a place for residency or internship. The level of doctors leaving the country is the senior doctors that are well trained; and that is where it hurts. We have appealed to the civil service commission to allow a one-for-one replacement to close the gaps of doctors leaving and the replacements must be on the same level as those that have left. We have asked all medical directors to fill these gaps,” he said.

 Ehanire also said that plans were on to get medical and health professionals who have travelled abroad to visit home to work temporarily or teach and train home-based doctors and nurses. He said that the current brain drain could also be a brain gain for the country. “Some of our doctors travelled out to garner more knowledge on the technological advancement and expertise, some are back to give back to the country and that is a plus. Money needs to go into roads, electricity, transportation, water, security, and Nigerians don’t like to pay tax, whether individual or corporate,” he said.

 Prof Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner of Health for Lagos State, identified multiple forces driving brain drain, many of which are beyond the control of the health sector. “Since COVID-19, the global healthcare talent pool has shrunk and advanced countries are attracting health workers to fill their gaps. People have always migrated to regions that promised them a better life,” he said. “According to the World Bank, funds remitted by Nigerians in the diaspora hit $65bn between 2018 and 2020. This is compensating for the low tax base in Nigeria.

 “Many people here are members of the Japada alumni, so the idea is not to eliminate brain drain but to make sure it does not cripple us. People who work abroad and gain rare skills will eventually come back when living conditions are better,” Abayomi said.

The Director of Clinical Services, National Hospital Abuja, Dr Badejo Olawale, has said the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for the management of cancer patients will harmonise cancer treatment. Olawale said this in Abuja at a day conference on the “Uptake of the NCCN Harmonised Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa.”

 The conference was organised by the hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and American Cancer Society, the summit focused on breast cancer as the pilot. According to Olawale, with the uptake of the guideline, a lot of confusion and disharmony in the treatment of cancer will be dispelled.

 “What we have is a situation where people do things from their own perspective and at the end of the day, there’s lots of confusion. The guideline helps you irrespective of the amount of resources you have to practice within a set goal such that if all you have in your centre are surgeons and no radiologist, your surgical practice will fall in line.

 “Even if the patient has reasons to go to a place where there are facilities, you would not have done harm to that patient, they will just take it off from there. So, it’s beneficial to the practitioner in terms of guides, beneficial to the patient in terms of safety and getting the best possible care in the care spectrum across the different disease types,” the director of clinical services said.

 Olawale also said that the guideline which was available for all the cancers also help patients seeking information to take instructions and know what questions to ask in the course of the management of that disease.

 He also said that it helps families to be able to prepare for the next best thing in the management of the disease and at the end of it all brings out the best outcome irrespective of the level of resources available in that region. Dr Uchechukwu Shagaya, Head, Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, said that the summit was organised to commemorate the World Cancer Day which is marked on Feb. 4 every year.

 “The theme is Closing the Care Gap.” However, over the years most people do awareness and we the oncologists, surgeons and doctors who manage them should do the preaching of the care gap within the caregivers. So, we decided to launch an uptake on the harmonised guideline, we want to ensure that the management of cancer is harmonised and we are using standardised guidelines.

 “The guideline talks about prevention of cancer all the way to palliation. It talks about the work up, the tests that should be done, how it should be diagnosed, and how it should be treated. What to expect on the side effects of the treatment and then the outcome of the treatment as well as the follow up of the treatment,” Shagaya said.

 On his part, Prof. King-David Yawe, Convener, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Multi-Disciplinary Tumor Board, said that with the training, care givers have been empowered with knowledge to know where help can be obtained. “That help is in various ways, help from the point of view of diagnosis, from the point of view of treatment and the various modalities of treatment. What we are aiming at in this programme is to equip all of us who are managing breasts and other cancers in one way or the other to be able to know where we can drum up support anytime we need.

 “So you will find that you don’t have to keep a patient waiting in your place for a long time. You can very quickly transfer that patient or refer that patient to where that service is immediately available. That way you will be able to treat the patients on time and therefore be able to prolong their lives,” Yawe said.