NMA To Politicians: Stop Incessant Medical Trips
The Cross River state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has appealed to politicians in the country to stop frequenting abroad for medical treatments.
Speaking at a one-day Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme organised by NMA, Calabar chapter in collaboration with Kelina Hospital, Abuja, the chairman of the association, Dr Offiong Ikpeme, said equipment for handling prostate cancer, kidney related ailments, gastric pathologies and urethral strictures, among others, were now available in the country.
Ikpeme, however, said some hospitals in Nigeria could now compete favourably with the best medical facilities in the world in terms of surgeries and complex health challenges.
“Kelina Hospital, for instance, has equipment such as holmium laser, ultrasonic lithotripsy, and other equipment for endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and also has high definition cameras. Why spend money going abroad for kidney transplant and kidney stones removal when we can handle them here?” he queried.
A Consultant Pathologist with the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Paul Jibrin, also urged relevant authorities to create awareness to stop capital flight as well as medical trips abroad.
