Buhari’s Administration Tasked To Establish Facility For Diagnosis, Treatment Of Liver Disease

This was contained in a communique presented by the National Chairman of SOGHIN, Professor Jesse Otegbayo and Secretary, Professor Olusegun Alatishe at the end of the society’s 14th Scientific Conference in Kano State.

The conference with the theme “Burden and Challenges of Managing Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder (FGIDS)”, had Prof. Sylvester Chuks Nwokediuko, a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Physician/Gastroenterologist at the University of Nigeria and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria, as the guest speaker.

The communique said establishing such a treatment centre will address the increasing cases of liver problems and stop patients from travelling abroad for medical attention.

The society noted that there was a need for government to vote money to the health sector to treat various terminal diseases like liver, kidney and other killing ailments.

As part of their resolutions, they called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to confront the menace of brain drain by providing a conducive working environment for health workers.

SOGHIN also admonished the relevant stakeholders to adopt the WHO 2030 Viral Hepatitis eradication strategy by ensuring that adequate measures are put in place.

The communique read in part: “That time has come for Governments at all levels to address the issue of brain drain in the country through the provision of a conducive environment for the health workers, creation of job opportunities with adequate remuneration, funding of the health sector and provision of local incentives to stem the current tide.

“To intensify the call on the Federal Government and its security agencies to review current security architecture and commit to more effective reforms in order to secure Nigerians wherever they are in the country.

“That effort at strategic advocacy and constructive engagement should be escalated for greater results at ensuring better funding and provision of the necessary facilities for both the training of experts and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases in Nigeria.

“To continue strategic engagements at the appropriate quarters in order to achieve the establishment of Liver Transplantation and Centre of Excellence in digestive diseases, achieving the WHO 2030 Viral Hepatitis eradication.