The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Medical tourism

  • Don, experts to address medical tourism

    Don, experts to address medical tourism

    • By Temitayo Seidu, UNILAG

    As part of activities marking its 25th anniversary, the ‘YBC Y2K’, the 2000 graduation class of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), will hold a symposium on Tuesday, December 16.

    The event will take place at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, under the theme: “Reversing Medical Tourism.”

    The symposium will be chaired by Prof. Janet Ajuluchukwu, while the keynote address will be delivered by the Director General/CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority.

    Other speakers include Dr. Uzoma Gbulie, Dr. Nana Habeeb Adeyemi, and Dr. AbdulWarith Akinshipo, who will present on “Discovery Science and Clinical Translation.”

    Distinguished health professionals will also address the topic: “Impact of Diaspora Doctors on the Nigerian Healthcare System.”

    ‎Dr Temitope Mariam Masha and Dr Simisola Alabi will speak on “Public health and Public service”.

    Read Also: Tuggar blames structural weakness for unconstitutional changes of govt, others

    ‎There will be short talks on “Health and Safety” by Dr Adeola Eko, “Mental health and quality of life will be tackled by Dr Olumide Gbajabiamila, “Perinatal care” by Dr Jumoke Ogunro, and “The mouth and general health” by Dr Funmi Sijuwade.

    ‎Speaking at the symposium, Prof. Azeez Butali noted that it is essential to reverse medical tourism as this will save the flight of dollars and reduce demand for forex, thus boosting the economy.

    ‎”It will also increase income for the medical ecosystem with a direct impact on the welfare of health professionals.

    ‎”It is part of our 25th anniversary since leaving Medical school. We have a meet and greet on Sunday, December 14, 2025,

    ‎sports day on Monday, December 15, beach getaway on Wednesday, December 17, Jumat and Gala on Friday, December 18, 2025.”

  • Medical Tourism to Poland – How to Find the Right Doctor and Book Treatment

    Medical Tourism to Poland – How to Find the Right Doctor and Book Treatment

    Medical tourism has become a global phenomenon, with patients traveling abroad to access high-quality healthcare at affordable prices. Poland has emerged as one of the top destinations for medical tourism, offering world-class facilities, experienced professionals, and cost-effective solutions. If you’re considering treatment in Poland, this guide will help you to find clinics in Poland and book your procedure confidently.

    Why Choose Poland for Medical Treatment?

    Poland has gained a reputation for excellence in healthcare, particularly in dentistry, cosmetic surgery, orthopedics, and fertility treatments. The country boasts state-of-the-art clinics, cutting-edge technology, and highly trained medical professionals. Additionally, the cost of medical procedures in Poland is significantly lower compared to Western Europe and North America, making it an attractive option for international patients.

    Steps to Find the Right Doctor in Poland

    1. Research Specialized Clinics

    Start by identifying clinics that specialize in the treatment you require. Poland is home to numerous accredited facilities that cater to a wide range of medical needs. Look for clinics with a strong reputation, positive patient reviews, and international certifications.

    2. Verify Credentials and Experience

    Once you’ve shortlisted potential clinics, verify the credentials of the doctors and surgeons. Ensure they have the necessary qualifications, certifications, and experience in performing the specific procedure you need. Many Polish doctors have trained internationally and are members of prestigious medical associations.

    3. Read Patient Testimonials

    Patient reviews and testimonials can provide valuable insights into the quality of care and overall experience at a clinic. Look for feedback from international patients who have undergone similar treatments.

    4. Consult with the Clinic

    Most clinics in Poland offer online consultations, allowing you to discuss your medical needs with a specialist before traveling. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, understand the treatment plan, and gauge the doctor’s expertise.

    Read Also: Court orders MTN to pay N840m for trademark infringement

    How to Book Your Treatment in Poland

    1. Plan Your Trip in Advance

    Once you’ve chosen a clinic and doctor, plan your trip carefully. Consider factors such as travel dates, accommodation, and recovery time. Many clinics offer assistance with travel arrangements, including airport transfers and hotel bookings.

    2. Understand the Costs

    While treatment in Poland is generally more affordable, it’s essential to get a detailed cost breakdown. This should include the procedure, pre- and post-operative care, and any additional fees. Ensure there are no hidden costs to avoid surprises later.

    3. Check Visa Requirements

    Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to enter Poland. Check the visa requirements well in advance and ensure your travel documents are in order. Some clinics provide visa support to make the process easier for international patients.

    4. Prepare for Your Stay

    Pack all necessary documents, including medical records, prescriptions, and correspondence with the clinic. If you’re traveling for an extended period, make arrangements for follow-up care and post-treatment recovery.

    Tips for a Successful Medical Trip to Poland

    • Language: While many Polish doctors and staff speak English, it’s helpful to learn a few basic phrases in Polish or hire a translator if needed.
    • Insurance: Check if your health insurance covers treatment abroad or consider purchasing travel insurance for added peace of mind.
    • Local Support: Some clinics offer dedicated patient coordinators to assist international patients throughout their journey, from arrival to departure.

    Conclusion

    Poland has established itself as a leading destination for medical tourism, offering a perfect blend of quality, affordability, and hospitality. By following the steps outlined above, you can find the right doctor and book your treatment with ease. Whether you’re seeking dental work, cosmetic surgery, or specialized medical care, Poland provides an excellent option for patients worldwide. Start your journey today and experience the benefits of world-class healthcare in this beautiful European country.

  • Collaboration will curb $1bn medical tourism, rejuvenate health sector, FG tells private sector

    Collaboration will curb $1bn medical tourism, rejuvenate health sector, FG tells private sector

    The federal government has challenged the private sector to engage in a more comprehensive collaboration to curb medical tourism for ailments that could be managed in Nigeria.

    The minister of state for health and social welfare, Tunji Alausa, said the federal government had already acknowledged the pillars of the health sector in its health sector renewal compact as driven by the Four Point Agenda: improving governance and leadership, population health, health system performance, service delivery, unlocking health value chains, and health security.

    He, however, stressed that the active collaboration of the private sector is pivotal to the achievement of the target goal of revitalizing the nation’s health sector.

    This is as the vice chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Professor Innocent O. Ujah, called for urgent transformation in Nigeria’s healthcare system due to the numerous challenges of inadequate funding, brain drain, insecurity, and poor healthcare infrastructure confronting it.

    Alausa spoke at the weekend in Abuja during the African Leadership Award organized by Teflon Online, where the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Alliance Hospital, Abuja, Christopher Otabor, was honored with the African Leadership Award for his exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

    He said that collaboration across the board is critical, Alausa noted that partnership is critical to the advancement of the health sector and the personnel, adding that every medical doctor is a product of partnerships.

    The minister, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Emmanuel Odu, cited the collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.

    While calling for the continuation of the partnership, Alausa noted that it has impacted positively in the health sector, which aligned with the goals of the President, the Federal Minister of Health, and the Tertiary Education Fund (TetFund).

    He added that the impressive reputation of Nigerian doctors internationally was not without the power of collaboration, the Minister encouraged the continuation of partnerships to achieve even greater results.

    “By working together, they can achieve significant improvements in the health sector and enhance health outcomes in Nigeria,” he said.

    He also emphasized the importance of recognition and reward in motivating individuals to achieve more while commending the organizers for identifying and honoring outstanding individuals.

    In his acceptance speech, Otabor emphasized the need for partnerships to revitalize the nation’s health sector, noting that private sector investment would significantly bolster government efforts and help reduce medical tourism abroad.

    “Retaining patients within Nigeria is crucial,” he stated, pointing out that Nigeria spends an estimated $1B annually on medical care abroad for conditions that can be treated locally.

    “There is a need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, retaining medical professionals, and maintaining a positive attitude towards patients.

    “Private hospitals treat 70% of patients in Nigeria, yet the government often competes with rather than supports us.

    “This needs to change given that private healthcare providers in Nigeria are facing numerous challenges, including high taxation and limited support.

    Read Also: Alake presents gold bars to Tinubu, says sector will boost Naira value

    “In India, where 98% of Nigerians seek treatment, patients go to private hospitals because their government supports them with funding, loans, and tax holidays. We need similar support here.

    “Investment in healthcare is great; wealthy Nigerians should consider setting up foundations and investing in the healthcare sector. Besides, investing in healthcare saves lives, and it could be your life.

    “With the financial pressures on private healthcare providers, due to the recent increase in equipment costs and rising loan interest rates, among other challenges, we cannot transfer all the costs to patients; they simply won’t be able to afford it.”

    “So, I want to call on the government to recognize and support the sacrifices made by those still dedicated to improving Nigeria’s healthcare environment.

    “We are making great sacrifices, and the government must acknowledge that.”

    In his keynote address, titled ‘Renewing Hope in Health Governance and Leadership in Nigeria’, Prof. Ujah emphasized the need for urgent transformation of the nation’s healthcare system that is facing challenges of inadequate funding, brain drain, insecurity, and poor healthcare infrastructure.

    According to him, the importance of effective governance and leadership in addressing the challenges is critical to positioning the country as a healthcare service hub in the continent.

    While recognising the federal government’s efforts to reposition tertiary health facilities with the steps taken so far, the VC noted that there are gaps needed to be filled to improve healthcare delivery, particularly at the primary and secondary levels.

    He listed increased domestic financing, expansion of primary healthcare, and financial protection for the poor and vulnerable as means of addressing the perennial challenges that could cost the nation meeting its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) targets.

    He stated that the need for deliberate efforts to invest in healthcare cannot be overemphasized, Ujah said it is also critical to operationalize the National Council of Research and Innovation, incentivize healthcare workers, and address insecurity and bureaucracies in the health sector.

    He also tasked the stakeholders on the importance of partnership and collaboration with the private sector and international organizations to achieve improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

  • ‘Nigeria can save $2b from medical tourism annually’

    ‘Nigeria can save $2b from medical tourism annually’

    With many government-owned hospitals and care centres serving as mere consulting clinics as a result of the underfunding of most of these healthcare facilities, some Nigerians who can afford it are forced to seek medicare abroad thus giving rise to medical tourism while other less privileged face the worst fate back home; little wonder maternal and infant mortality ratios remain astronomically high. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, Dr Rasheed Abbassi, who sits atop as the Chief Medical Director/CEO of Heritage Men’s Clinic sets agenda for the new minister of health and offers useful suggestions on how to address the nagging issue of economics of health. Excerpts:

    During economic crunch, social services like healthcare suffer neglect, what can or should be done?

    Great question and very timely if I may add. The key part of your question is the word neglect and the need for priotising values.

    Economic crunch is not unique to Africa or to Nigeria for that matter. Great countries go through economic downturns. The key is not a reaction, but taking proactive measures. For instance in the United States of America, no matter how bad the economic downturn is, the government has made Defense and its Budget a priority; hence nothing happens to the budget. No cut and no misappropriation.

    So what we need in our country is value- added priority. When you value something and you prioritise it, then you protect it and you are proactive about keeping it sustained.

    The government should prioritise the healthcare sector by displaying value added actions, Budgetary allocations should not be just for this administration, it should be enshrined in our legislative agenda that each year, certain percentage of our budget should go towards healthcare, and these allocations should be dynamic and not static.

    There should also be allocation for technology upgrades, population shifts and utilisation preferences based on data acquired via Medical Intelligence. This administration has the unique advantage of laying the foundation for what a robust healthcare industry should be like moving forward.

    We need a new direction. Data from Medical Intelligence can, and should guide us. Other countries show what they priotise by what the budgetary allocation is: NATO countries allocate 2.8% of each member nation GDP to defense, Nigeria needs something similar or in the frame work for the healthcare industry. The sooner the better, Nigeria currently spends an excess of $2bn on Medical Tourism. That is simply not sustainable.

    What would it take for our PHCs to run 24 hours uninterrupted services like it’s the case in other advanced economies?

    We currently have about 30,000 primary health centres across the country. And by my last check, only 20% are functional and operational. So we have 24,000 health centres not working. We need to evaluate this and find out what exactly is the root cause of such. We cannot be thinking of 24 hours when the facility is not even operational. But if your bigger concern is how can we get to the point of providing 24 hour access healthcare to our fellow citizens, then healthcare delivery is something that should be well thought-out, not only for the present generation but also for the future.

    This is why I advocated for the appointment of a good Administrator and not just a Medical Doctor. I am glad the President has appointed an excellent Physician with the added benefit of great administrative skills. Healthcare delivery cannot and should not be left to the government alone. We need private and free market enterprise to join and be invited.

     The government using its leverage should make a priority, the healthcare industry investment-friendly.

    With Nigerians spending in excess of $2bn on medical tourism, no Nigerian buys dollars to go abroad for primary healthcare; almost all the $2bn is spent on specialised care: kidney disease, cancer care, cardiac care, orthopedic care, spine and Neuro care. So, why can’t the government step in and provide tax incentives to the private sector to encourage investment into specialised care. The government can and should use its legislative powers to offer tax right-offs and tax-breaks to Nigerians willing to invest in specialised care. Our banks are currently asking private investors to come and take loans with interest rates in the high 27% range, and yet we offer tax exempt status to churches and mosques. Who are we kidding? It’s all about priorirties.

    Read Also: Edo govt rallies stakeholders to drive tourism sector

    What is your agenda for the new minister of health and coordinating minister of humanitarian affairs?

    No agenda. I wish and pray that both are patriotic and have the interests of the people at heart. They are both well-qualified and exposed. They need to surround themselves with like-minded folks in order to get the jobs done. Government alone cannot do it and it’s not feasible to expect them to do it alone. They should focus on Nigerians, encourage private investors by making the industry investment-friendly; and invest in Medical intelligence, the new oil. When you lure investors in with attractive facilities, your primary healthcare centres will become functional, trust me. We have a nonexistent health delivery system. We have over 30,000 primary healthcare centres, with only 20% being functional all over the nation. That is supposed to be one of the bedrock of the government. The healthcare system is predicated on primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare. Unfortunately, the federal government is only focusing on the tertiary. They are looking at the teaching hospitals, but they need to do more than that. Our medical education is non-existent. Nigerian doctors who established Saudi Arabia never came back.  They established the Saudi Arabian healthcare system and created a vacuum here. We are not producing qualified doctors. Brain-drain has heightened. Our medical schools don’t produce good professors anymore. This is an opportunity for the new government. And one of the things they can do is start afresh and encourage in private-sector players. We need investment-friendly initiatives like good interest rates, for establishing health sector facilities. For instance, my clinic is trying to expand; I have a 15-member clinic. The banks are ready to lend us some, but they are asking for a 27% interest rate. That is not sustainable. If the Federal government thinks healthcare is a priority, they need to show us in terms of budgetary allocation for health. I think they have done well because they chose a good administrator. The Federal Government can invite businessmen in the health sector by capping the interest rate and making us tax-exempt for a few years. The largest employer is the medical system, so we can employ more people. The taxpayers will pay and foot the bill. I advocate for medical intelligence because, as of today, we don’t know how many doctors we have, or how many doctors have relocated. We don’t have enough healthcare facilities for our people. If we invest in medical intelligence, it’ll be data-driven. Our preparedness for the next outbreak depends on the amount and quality of medical intelligence.

    The Nigerian health sector is bedeviled by a lot of ills. How do we navigate the stark reality of these times?

    With COVID-19, we dodged a big bullet. But the reality on the ground is we’re really far behind when it comes to healthcare, infrastructure development and even the other variables. There has been mass exodus of Nigerian doctors. Even the United States of America doesn’t have enough doctors, talk less of Nigeria where our population actually exceeds the ratio of Nigerian doctors to patients it’s overwhelming. I think the government needs to provide a business-friendly environment private investment to augment what the government is doing or not doing. Once private investment comes in, the free market will help healthcare industry develop rapidly. Many Nigerian doctors living abroad are willing come home and invest here, but the interest rates of Nigerian banks are ridiculous. The government needs to set up targeted healthcare funds and cap interest rates so the sector can grow.

    What is your assessment of our current framework of health insurance policy?

    In the United States, it’s a hybrid situation where employment-based insurance provides employed staff of private companies with insurances. If you are in a low socio-economic level, the government comes in with what is called Medicaid. There is Medicaid and Medicare.

    Medicare you get as a result of your length of years of working whether private or as a civil servant. Medicaid as the world implies a government is caring for you for whatever reasons. You find yourself in that trench; disability, medical condition. All dialysis patients in the United States are paid for by the government. Whether you can afford it or not, it’s under Medicaid. We need a hybrid system in Nigeria, because the government alone cannot fund it.

  • Babcock varsity to reverse medical tourism

    Vice Chancellor of Babcock University Ilishan, Remo Prof Ademola Tayo has said the institution is committed to reversing medical tourism to India and other countries.

    This is as he urged the government to check multiple taxation and allow for flexibility in running educational institutions to promote innovation.

    Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday to commemorate the institution’s 20th anniversary as a private university, and 60th as a higher institution of theological studies, Tayo said Babcock had recorded over 95 per cent success in open heart surgeries and orthorpaedic treatment.

    “Babcock University is determined to contribute to seek ways to stem medical tourism.

    “We have done over 300 successful open heart surgeries since 2015 when the Tri-state Heart Centre started. We have a 95 per cent success rate. In orthorpeadics, we are doing total knee replacement surgery and spine surgery,” he said.

    Apart from medicine, Tayo said Babcock was impacting the Nigerian society in many other ways, including through promoting food security, research, and others.

    He however lamented the multiple taxes the University has to pay to government, calling for a change given the institution’s role in providing education, which is a social service.

    Tayo also called for relaxation of rules guiding the operations of Tertiary institutions, saying it would allow for creativity and innovation in the academia.

    He said: “Too many stringent rules do not bring about innovation. America is very great today because they allow innovation. But here it is stifled. Let the government be flexible so we can do this just like we see happen in developed world.”

    Activities to celebrate the institution’s anniversary, which has as theme: “The Journey of Grace”; include spiritual beginning on September 14, a programme to thank  God; medical outreach for host communities (September 15); special lecture and speech (September 17); Almost Day (September 19), among others

     

  • Medical tourism bill

    •Reps should have reworked the proposed law instead of throwing it away

    To millions of hapless indigent Nigerians who have no means to travel out of the country for medical treatment, any measure taken to make the government and public officials alive to their responsibilities in providing good hospitals in the country would just be appropriate. It is immaterial whether this violated the rights of the concerned public officials who the common man sees as being responsible for the poor state of hospitals in the country.

    Indeed, this would appear to be the motivation for the bill seeking to regulate overseas medical treatment by public officials that was last week voted out by lawmakers in the House of Representatives. To underscore how dear the bill was to the representatives, the Report on the Bill for an Act to Amend the National Health Act 2014 to Regulate International Trips for Medical Treatment by Public Officers to Strengthen the Health Institutions for Efficient Service Delivery was considered by the Committee of the Whole.

    Regrettably, it was killed. The law makers say the bill breached their rights as public officials and, secondly, it discriminates against them as elected officials. According to Deputy Speaker, Mr Lasun Yusuff, “This bill is against my fundamental human rights. There are two fundamental wrongs in this bill. It is against human rights and it is discriminatory. Do not let us do a debate on this bill.”

    Mr Razak Atunwa, from Kwara State, would appear to have got the motive of the sponsors of the bill when he said that the bill was targeted at public officials over the mismanagement of the health care sector.  “The fact that I am a public servant does not mean I have given up my rights. If the government has failed in providing hospitals, we cannot punish someone for it. The intention is right, but better funding for training of doctors, better funding for hospitals is the right way to go”, he added.

    The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Mohammed Wase, from Plateau State, wasted no time in urging his colleagues to “throw away” the bill. His reason?  “I was in hospital in Nigeria for a checkup and they said I was fine. Friends encouraged me to travel (abroad) for a checkup and I did, only to discover that I was not okay. I spent three months there. Now you are telling me to get approval. Please, this bill should be thrown out. Instead of banning people from travelling, we should create an enabling environment for people to invest in the health care sector.”

    Some of the reasons given for rejecting the bill could easily be punctured, especially in a country where democracy has taken root and people know their rights under the law.

    For Wase who was wrongly diagnosed as being medically fit at home whereas all was not well with his health as he eventually learnt when he travelled out on his friends’ advice, only to spend three months panel-beating his health, how many Nigerians are so blessed? How many of them can hop into the next available flight for overseas treatment?

    It is unhelpful to just dismiss the bill as the House of Representatives did. Instead of dismissing it, or, to paraphrase Mr Wase, instead of throwing it away, what they should have done is to look for ways of reworking it to make it relevant to the majority of Nigerians who do not have the means to seek medical treatment abroad. After all, these are the people the law makers are supposed to be representing. The legislators cannot take care of their own personal interest, leaving their constituents in the lurch.

    The solution to the healthcare problems in the country is not going to come when law makers do not see themselves as part of the government, as Mr Atunwa suggested. The House of Representatives is part of the government, after all, it makes laws, in conjunction with the upper legislative chamber, the senate, for good governance, that the executive arm executes.

  • Much ado about ‘medical tourism’(I)

    We had just ended a terribly mournful week with the third-day Fidda’u prayer for my wife’s just-departed cousin, Isyaku S. Turke who was run over by a trailer as he drove along Zaria-Kano road. It was such a tragic loss for both family and the community. Isyaku was, in our little downtown Limawa area of Minna, a byword for youthful excellence, both in character and in learning. At his graveside, the community was unanimous that even by the nearest guess of its memory it had known no other youth that was, as Shakespeare would say, “the theme of honor’s tongue”, or one among the groove of his peers ‘the straightest plant’. My wife had been the most obsessed, in the family, with her cousin’s excellent reputation as the spotless, unblemished one. She had in fact sometimes flaunted it with what I thought was a bit of righteous arrogance. And it was the reason that just as her dotting father had chosen to raise this son of his step-brother conferring on him the primogenital right of a first-born, she too had elevated him above mere filial consanguinity. He was known to be such sibling alter ego and soul mate of hers that even his biological parents admitted she was the more deserving of condolence over his loss than they who begot him. Such was the relationship between my wife and her cousin that when, a day after the third day prayer, she took terribly ill and had to be hospitalized under emergency condition, virtually every superstitious voice in and outside the family said that she was metaphysically reacting to the sudden death of her beloved cousin. They said that Isyaku’s death was the mysterious pathogen to her sudden dis-eased physiological condition. If I was given to such irrational nonsense, rather than be in a hospital, we probably would’ve been on ‘medical tourism’ to some far-flung forested location, squatting  before some cowries-tossing, divining witchdoctor, seeking solution to a medical condition that science has long provided remedy for.

    By the way although it did not take a ‘specialist hospital’ to diagnose the presence of ‘stones’ in what doctors said was my wife’s now deteriorating gall bladder, the irony was that it was a ‘specialist hospital’, namely IBB’s, that turned down our emergency referral from a smaller, non-specialist area hospital which, at least, had managed to diagnose the condition, even though it could not go further than that. For ‘three days and three nights’ my wife was under the worst imaginable abdominal pain and her body had in fact abused virtually all of the best known pain relievers that doctors could administer. She had writhed and wriggled in excruciating pangs and at some point I was alarmed she had started invoking the heavens to rather take her life. No caring husband can bear to see his loving wife in this helpless situation. My wife was crying so miserably I now saw why Shakespeare wrote the famous lines: “no philosopher can endure the toothache patiently”. What she needed urgently doctors said, was a surgery to remove what turned out much later to be eleven tiger nut-size ‘stones’ from a damaged ‘gallbladder’ that lies beneath the liver and around which thousands of supper sensitive nerves connect which conduct pain to the brain at the faintest of touches. It was the reason my wife could hardly eat all these three days because the littlest intestinal weight created by the ingestion of food was just enough to trigger a 24-hour bout of pangs. And so after our rejection by the ‘IBB Specialist Hospital’ on grounds of incapacity, or as they said because of the lack of a ‘General Surgeon’ I was pleasantly surprised that we were now referred -not to Abuja, Kano or Lagos- but to the state’s General Hospital in the same Minna. The hope, ironically, was that the state’s General Hospital just might have a ‘General Surgeon’ even though its big-for-nothing ‘Specialist Hospital’ shamelessly hadn’t.

    Soon I got the hang of it all; namely that it takes virtually just a single ‘General Surgeon’ for a hospital to be capacitated to handle the removal of gallbladder stones, and that conversely even a hundred ordinary surgeons in a hospital will not be sufficient therefore to capacitate a hospital for that special operation. And so one cannot but wonder how many ‘gallbladder stone’ patients may have lost their lives from operations conducted by ordinary surgeons who are not sufficiently trained to open up such delicate, nerves-complicated, liver-threatening pancreatic zone in the human body. Hell, you wonder how many such patients may have had their lives wasted even by stark, lone-ranging non-surgeons whose only license to tear and suture peoples’ stomachs is that they own private hospitals and have the complement of a few nurses. But before we go into the crimes that doctors commit, maybe we should ask: who is a ‘Surgeon General’ –different from an ordinary surgeon? I have heard the phrase ‘Surgeon General’ since I was in college. He is the chief spokesperson on public health for the United States Government. At least his anti-smoking voice one still recalls either on the back of cigarette packs or in audio-visual ads which once gave advertising an ethical face: ‘The Surgeon General warns that cigarette smoking is dangerous to health’. And later the anti-smoking ad even got a lot more lurid. It said: ‘The Surgeon General warns that cigarette smokers are liable to die young’. This much I had always known about the ‘Surgeon General’. But about the ‘General Surgeon’ I must confess I knew nothing. It had to take my wife’s recent medical condition to know that there is a ‘General Surgeon’ different from a ‘surgeon’.

    A ‘General Surgeon’, unlike a ‘surgeon’, they say is ‘a physician who has been educated and trained in the diagnosis and pre-operative, operative and post-operative management of patients’. He is, in a nutshell, a specialist in the area of surgery whereas an ordinary surgeon is not. But neither ‘IBB Specialist Hospital’ nor the State’s General Hospital, nor even any privately-owned one in Minna had a ‘General Surgeon’. Further checks also revealed that not even the famed Federal Medical Centre FMC in Bida, nor anywhere in the whole of Niger State for that matter, had one. We now had to choose between the ‘National Hospital’ in Abuja (which factually or fictionally they say, has a dispiriting reputation uniquely its own as a medical destination that critically ill patients go to and don’t return) or the ‘Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital’ in Gwagwalada where the few doctors who vouchsafed an opinion about, did not also inspire any redeeming hope for my wife’s medical salvation. In fact, from what I heard, I probably would’ve preferred the National Hospital in Abuja to the Specialist one in Gwagwalada. At last we were now left virtually with a Hobson’s Choice; namely to go to the ABU Teaching Hospital in Shika, Zaria whose only distinguishing credentials many doctors said is that it is better than both the National and the Specialist hospitals in the federal capital. And concerning the many big time private hospitals that now mushroom the Nigerian medical space, it was a tale either of cut throat charges or of poorly conducted operations (with all the attendant consequences) –or even both. It was at this point that the idea of seeking remedy outside the shores of Nigeria began to rear its obnoxious head in our permutation. And it was then I realize that I was about to commit the unwritten offence of ‘medical tourism’.

     

    • To be continued

  • Heritage Bank backs AFRICANMED to curb forex on medical tourism

    Heritage Bank Plc, Nigeria’s most innovative banking service provider, has partnered  AFRICANMED and the Chinese community in Nigeria to develop the country’s health sector and reduce medical tourism by Nigerians.

    MD/CEO, Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo who disclosed this at the maiden edition AFRICANMED exhibition of top brands of medical equipment from China in Lagos, said there is need to reduce the huge foreign exchange  spent every year on medical tourism.

    He said Heritage Bank would find it easy to provide finance for interested buyers of the medical equipment from China because it already has a robust correspondent banking relationship with Deutsche Bank of China and Access Bank of China.

    The relationship, he said, would enable the bank to seamlessly open letters of credit for interested buyers.

    Represented by  Group Head, Agric and Export, Heritage Bank, Olugbenga Awe, the CEO said since some of the equipment cost millions of dollars, the bank would not expect the buyers to tie down such heavy amount of money, adding that the bank will support interested buyers with robust loans that will enable them to acquire the equipment and pay back over a period of two years.

    “We are willing and ready to support with funding as far as this equipment are concerned,” he said, adding that the bank is working with AFRICANMED to develop a solution that will enable prospective buyers to buy the products while the bank pays on their behalf.

    He said the $2.5 billion currency swap deal between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Chinese central bank would help as the bank would have enough funding through that arrangement to meet the needs of interested buyers.

     

  • Nigeria to curb medical tourism

    The Federal Government is seeking ways to improve efficiency in the operations of public hospitals and re-equip them to save foreign exchange drain arising from medical tourism.

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, made the statement at a news briefing to commemorate the ”5th World Universal Health Coverage Day,” in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Ehanire noted the theme for the commemoration, ”Unite for universal health coverage”  and slogan,  ”Now is the time for collective action.’’

    He said that the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and its partners had developed an operational platform for ensuring that every citizen had access to affordable and comprehensive care in a timely manner.

    Read also: 455 amnesty beneficiaries undergoing vocational training

    The minister said that the ministry and its agencies as well as partners were guided by a common vision and goal for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    He said that efforts were currently on-going to kick-start the first phase of UHC in Abia, Osun, Katsina, Yobe, Edo and Federal Capital Territory.

    ”We have worked to ensure that routine immunisation coverage has risen from 48 per cent to 57per cent.

    ”We continue to distribute and educate citizens on the use and maintenance of the long lasting insecticidal-net.

    ”Another step is the development of a national health insurance scheme for all Nigerians at all levels with robust citizen participation to build confidence.

    ”FMOH is also working on a universal medical emergency services and ambulance scheme to assure free and immediate emergency treatment of all victims of accident and emergency situations,” he said.

    The minister added that the government was deeply committed to increasing investment in Nigeria’s health system to strengthen and improve service delivery.

    Nigeria loses huge resources to its citizens travelling out of the country in search of better medical care because of the inefficiency of services  in the country. (NAN)

  • ‘We need six cancer centres in Nigeria’

    ‘We need six cancer centres in Nigeria’

    The  Chief Executive Officer, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE), Ebunola Anozie, has urged the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive cancer centre in each of the six geo-political zones in the country. 

    Medical tourism

    It is a shame that Nigerians  travel abroad to obtain medical treatment or what they simply called  ‘medical tourism.’ It is a pathetic and a fundamental problem.

    Many patients undergoing treatments have to queue for hours at a popular hospital in Ikeja, others sleep there while some arrive as early as 3:00 a.m. to have Radiotherapy treatment.

    The Radiotherapy machines in our government hospitals have gone comatose due to persistent power surge. Our maintenance culture leaves much to be desired while some are obsolete. It is pleasing to know that two new Radiotherapy machines were recently acquired by the Federal Government. More than 70, 000 Nigerians die yearly due to avoidable cancer problems and young ones are not excluded. Do we actually have a functional Cancer Registry? All of these will be a thing of the past if the Federal Government can establish Comprehensive Cancer Centres in the six geo- political zones in Nigeria.

    Cancer treatment

    Cancer is, however, not a death sentence if detected and treated early. We have many cancer survivors. If we have six comprehensive cancer centers in Nigeria, cancer treatment would be cheaper, accessible and affordable by all.

    We are a blessed nation and our medical personnels do well outside the country.  We have good and brilliant health care givers, but the question is, do they have the necessary tools to work with. If we delay in establishing these centers, the mortality rate will soar.

    It is killing for a patient to travel long distance on our death trap roads to Lagos, Abuja, Benin or Zaria for Radiotherapy treatment. It is necessary to support these highly sensitive machines with powerful generators due to the nature of our power source. If we have one radiotherapy machine each in all government hospitals, I do not think it is not too much.

    Cancer center in Nigeria

    For the past 23 years, we have been clamouring for a comprehensive cancer centre.  I am of the opinion that it is due to the usual political will, the lackadaisical attitude towards health care system, or our government is yet to realise the implication of having to travel outside the country for medical treatment.

    If  an embargo is placed on medical tourism on all our leaders, something positive will yield.

    I am appealing to the government to take action, do the needful and come to the realisation that Nigerians are dying.

    All the monies we have recouped over the years can get our dear nation three or four centers.

    If we have these centers, treatment will be much cheaper and everything needed to treat cancer will be available and subsidised. Research Institute will fall in place.

    Nigerians need to be comfortable and happy, things need to work as we deserve to enjoy the dividends of democracy. Our doctors are not well paid and they are being sought for outside the country. With the comprehensive cancer centers, a lot of our children will come back home, brain drain will reduce as we have brilliant Nigerian doctors all over the world.

    To reduce the risk of cancer

    It is very important to go for screening, eat healthy, let your life style be positive, exercise and drink a lot of water. Abstain from processed foods, avoid smoking, sleep well, have a forgiving heart, eat fresh fruits and vegetables. The major thing is to get a yearly medical check. Abstain from red meat if you are over 40. Eat more of chicken (remove the skin) and fish

    Cancer on the rise in Nigeria

    Cancer is on the rise, due to the fact that a lot of people are becoming more aware. COPE has been at the forefront of awareness creation on early detection and treatment of breast cancer and screening since 1995. In those days, it was more of a taboo and nobody talked about it, but now a lot of survivors come out to talk about it.

    Furthermore, we tend to live the western kind of life. We do not eat our healthy local foods we are now into processed foods; we don’t eat healthy and we do not exercise. We live sedentary life style. Unfortunately, late presentation plays a key role and treatment is also delayed by some doctors which gives the cancer cells the opportunity to spread.

    It is interesting to note that cancer is more prevalent in developed countries, but in Nigeria, the mortality rate is higher because our health care delivery system is not favourable. In developed countries, presentation is early, treatment is thorough and done due to the availability of the health care insurance that works. In Nigeria, we are yet to put a workable system in place. There is so much controversy on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    Having a health challenge like cancer affects our five dimensions, social, spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. There is the fear of the unknown, that one would die and members of the family would go through a whole lot. Money comes to play as well. Some people do not open up because they do not want anybody to know what they are going through.They do not go to the hospital, because they are discouraged with the attitudes of a lot of healthcare providers and the system put in place is not encouraging. Many visit the traditional Doctor  due to lack money and end up getting the breast infected thereby die prematurely.

    Cancer, a death sentence?

    Cancer is not a death sentence if detected and treated early. It does not mean death as we have those who have been cured, because they detected and started treatment early. We have about 50 survivors under our care. We have loved and lost some.

    Please don’t get me wrong, treatment of cancer is expensive all over the world and there is no best doctor, only competent ones. Sadly, cancer treatment is very expensive in Nigeria and the medications are also very expensive. This is why we are appealing to our government to ease this cancer burden.

    One out of every twelve women and one out of every 100 men will have breast cancer. There are also other types of cancer that affects both men and women in other parts of the body. We have well over a hundred types of cancer but the teeth, nails and hair are cancer free. Breast and cervix are more prevalent in women while in men, prostate.

    Advice to women

    Women should be proactive and have their breasts examined. We should endeavour to go for medical check-up every year. When one is faced with the adversity of breast cancer, do not suffer in silence as you can reach out to COPE. It is important to give yourself a birthday gift by saving money monthly towards having your yearly medical check.

    When cancer is detected and treated early, you have a chance of surviving it. But if you leave it for too long, there is really very little or nothing the doctors can do other than offer palliative care.

    Message to men

    Please encourage the women in your life to go for screening, we offer clinical breast examination and breast ultrasound scan at our centre every third Saturday of the month. When the Big C “hits”, it humbles one and affects everybody and the treatment is expensive. Much as cancer is an individual disease, it is also a family disease in the sense that everybody will be involved in saving the loved one’s life. Trust me, everyone’s routine will change. Many men accompany their women to our centre for screening and many testified that they discovered the lump or lumps during foreplay.

    Why World Cancer Day (WCD)

    As a member of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), we join the rest of the world in marking World Cancer Day every February 4. As you are aware, October is also our month which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (NBCAM).

    The theme of WCD, ‘We can I can’ symbolises that “you can and together we all can jointly do something positive By reducing drastically the mortality rate of cancer as early detection and treatment saves lives.

    At COPE, on February 4, this year, our support group members had so much fun drawing, inscribing and painting the rules of healthy lifestyle on cardboards and pictures were taken and posted on our social media network while we shared this with UICC as well. Also COPE CEO spoke on the essence of getting screened on video in partnership with Lakeshore Cancer Centre. It is important to go for mammogram as a woman if you are over 40 and back it up with breast ultrasound scan which is not age restricted, do imbibe and inculcate the monthly breast self- examination steps. This is a big poster we offer free that shows you how to go about it.