Implants: Association Urges FG To Subsidize Cost

Muhyideen Jimoh
Dec, Wed, 2023

Health

Implants: Association urges FG to subsidize cost

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By Aderogba George

The Nigerian Orthopaedic Association has urged the Federal Government to subsidise the cost of implants and make surgeries accessible to ordinary Nigerians who needed them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that implants are the metals used to fix fractures, while prosthesis are the things used to replace joints.

Mr Songden David, a Consultant Orthopaedic/Trauma Surgeon, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen after a surgical session by the Nigerian Orthopaedic Association.

David, a member of the association as well as the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference, said that subsidizing the cost of implant would go a long way to assist those who are suffering all forms of fractures in their body.

He added that subsidy would be of great benefits to many Nigerians and would reduce medical tourism which had always been the mind set of some well-meaning Nigerians.

“This year’s AGM is being held in Abuja, one of the activities of this programme is a pre-conference workshop where we deliberate on so many issues on health.

“This year, we spoke on life surgeries, and we went into partnership with ‘Meril Endo Surgery’’, an Indian company, who supported us and we also mobilised resources within ourselves

“We are offering eight total knees replacement, this expensive procedures are part of our Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).

“Two of these replacements are in Garki General Hospital, two in National Hospital and another two at Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, we are going to continue with two more surgeries today.

“What we do is to operate on those with critical conditions that have gone beyond what medical treatment will do. At that point, it is the surgery that will help as the total knee replacement is the best procedure for them.

“The cost is on the high side for most of our patients and so we decided that for some of those who could not afford it, we decided to arrange for them with our implant suppliers,’’ he said.

Mr Hemal Barot, a Senior Manager, International sales at Meril Endo Surgery, stated that the company had been in partnership with Nigerian Surgeons since 2008, adding that they were basically aimed to improve the knowledge of Nigerian Surgeons.

“We have begun to upgrade the knowledge of local surgeons just to pass on this vital skill, especially with the presence of Mr Vividh Makwana, who has done so many surgeries.

“Meril Endo Surgery believes in passing on knowledge and engaging doctors in the local societies.’’ Barot said.

Mrs Josephine Odo, a 65-year-old woman who is a beneficiary of free surgery, appreciated the Nigerian Orthopaedic Association and the government for giving her the opportunity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

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