By Taiye Olayemi

Dr Usman Isah, Convener, All Africa Medical and Wellness Expo (AMWE), has urged the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for domestic medical tourism to thrive in the country.

Isah made the call during a zoom media chat, on Saturday.

He said Nigeria continues to lose huge amount of money to medical tourism, which has  succeeded in boosting other nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

Isah said it was high time the Federal Government began  to view medical tourism from the perspectives of profit-making and non-profit making angles.

According to him, it is  also important to foster private sector participation in healthcare development to spur investments.

He said Nigeria remains  a hub for medical tourists where world-class facilities in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and more beckon on visitors seeking top-notch healthcare.

“Nigeria is doing a lot wrong in the drive to get medical tourism right. A strong policy on domestic tourism and incentive for quality patient management will go a long way for the sector.

“ We are not doing business in the health sector but our medical bills are always high. Many Nigerians cannot afford quality medical care and many countries have ensured absolute access to medical care.

“We must get it right in Nigeria. We must upgrade the standard of care in our hospitals to be able to woo tourists to Nigeria.

Isah said that Nigeria could only get it right in developing sustainable domestic medical tourism when investors are attracted to the nation.

” Investors are not coming because they have observed that Nigeria is looking at healthcare solely as a profit making venture,” he said.

Isah described medical tourism as an aspect of the economy that could help drive healthcare development in Nigeria.

” If the private sector can see the medical sector as one with opportunities for investment, it will go a long way in enhancing development in healthcare as well as domestic tourism in Nigeria.

” We are going to organise the 2023 edition of AMWE, scheduled to hold on Oct. 4 and 5, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja.

” This is with a view to further educate Nigerians and government on the essence of developing a sustainable domestic medical tourism.

” The theme for the programme will be “Developing Sustainable Domestic Medical Tourism for Nigeria’s Health Sector.”

He explained that the expo would be a comprehensive roadmap toward the development of domestic medical tourism in Nigeria, catalysing the growth and excellence of the healthcare sector.

Isah, therefore, urged stakeholders in the country’s health sector to take advantage of the immense opportunities that comes with AMWE 2023, to drive growth and development within both sectors.

“ 2023 AMWE is poised to make a lasting impact on the trajectory of healthcare and wellness in Nigeria and the broader African region.

“ The event is such that stakeholders, experts, and visionaries come together to shape the future of healthcare, medical tourism, and wellness in Nigeria and beyond.

” This vision extends to a healthcare system that shines as a beacon of excellence and a society where wellness is deeply ingrained,” he said.

Isah emphasised Nigeria’s abundant blessings, particularly its wealth of highly skilled medical professionals.

He said these professionals were invaluable assets to the nation, and their talents should not be at risk of the “Japa” syndrome—an exodus of talent seeking opportunities abroad. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Adeyemi Adeleye
The CrimsonBow Sickle Cell Initiative on Saturday urged the Federal Government not to ignore people with sickle cell aneamia in its policies and and programmes.

The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) made this appeal during an empowerment programme for sickle cell patients in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NGO carried out the empowerment at its Project Empower A Warrior 2.0, titled: “Adapt and Thrive : Empowering Resilience in the New Economy”.

Miss Timi Edwin, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CrimsonBow, however, urged the patients not to give up on life because of the present economic realities.

Edwin, who is also a patient, said that government across levels needed to pay attention to people living with sickle cell in terms of affordable healthcare and empowerments.

“We have been talking to the government several times and telling them about healthcare for people living with sickle cell.

“We also like to engage this government to say that, please, don’t ignore people living with sickle cell in policies, projects and entrepreneurship,” she said.

Speaking on the empowerment programme, Edwin said that the NGO provided a business clinic on how to run businesses, and empowerment packages for about 200 patients to alleviate their sufferings.

She said that the initiative had brought different business experts together to train and inspire the sickle cell patients on how to navigate the current economic situation and to stay healthy and alive.

“We are giving three different cash categories and several mini grants. The first cost category is N250,000, the second category is N150,000 and the third category is N100,000, to support businesses of sickle cell warriors.

“And, we also know that there are several people who are petty traders, so we provide micro grants of the sum of N25,000 each to put into their businesses,” she said.

Edwin, who noted that sickle cell comes with so many challenges, advocated free medical services and drugs for patients through the national or state health insurance schemes.

“We cannot give everyone grants, but we will keep trying to expand the net to help the patients. We will keep thinking on what more to do and how to do it better,” she said.

Dr Olufunto Kalejaiye, a Consultant Physician and Hematologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, who noted that though there had been a lot of awareness on sickle cell by different groups, said that the nation still had a long way to go in the management of the disorder.

Kalejaiye, who emphasised the need for early diagnosis for continuous management of the sickle cell disorder, said that this would prevent many complications that could occur.

According to her, there is also the need for parents and community participation in the management of sickle cell aneamia.

“We must not isolate these children. We must be able to seek for care early. We must be aware of the complications of the disorder and strategise on how to go about them.

“Basically, it is very important that many of the patients be attached to centres where they have specialists to manage the disorder,” she added.

The medical practitioner said that it was also important for intending couples to know their genotype so as to make informed decision before marriage.

Kalejaiye joined the initiative to call on governments to include sickle cell treatment in various health insurance scheme to help the patients paying out of pockets.

Mrs Debisi Alokolaro,. a Marketing Expert, stressed the need for government and employers of labour to ensure diversity and inclusion of sickle cell patients in empowerment opportunities.

“We should also give opportunities to people living with disabilities, especially sickle cell warriors, to grow and to thrive. Sickle cell warriors I have met are very resilient and tenacious and very strong set of people,” Alokolaro said.

Also speaking, Mrs Adebola Adedeji, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nominees Ltd. (A member of Ecobank Group ), emphasised the need for more support from government, corporate organisations, individuals and the immediate community for the patients to aid their survival.

“So, we need private partners to come on board. Government can also do some policy changes that can really make life better for sickle cell warriors,” Adedeji, also a patient, said.

Earlier in her welcome address, Mrs Folashade Shinkaiye, who commended sponsors and board members, emphasised the need o empower, inspire, and uplift those in need, especially people living with sickle cell anemia.

“As we embark on this transformative journey together, let us celebrate the power of collaboration, the strength of unity, and the promise of positive change,” Shinkaiye.

The event involved a panel discussion with several stakeholders creating awareness about sickle cell and how to help the patients to stay alive in the current nation’s economy. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Justina Auta

Some survivors of childhood cancer on Saturday embarked on a walk to sensitise FCT residents on the need for early diagnosis, accessible treatment and political will to support children with the disease.

Okapi Children Cancer Foundation, an NGO led the walk in Abuja.

The foundation’s Chief Volunteer, Ms Kemi Adekanye, said the seventh annual event was to galvanise action from the government, policy makers and other stakeholders to support children with cancer.

” We are advocating and creating awareness that childhood cancer needs attention and children battling cancer need to be supported.

” Childhood cancer is everybody’s business, we all have children. No child should have to suffer from this disease, no child should lack access to treatment, so I encourage everyone to support.

Our major challenge is that of awareness,” she said.

Adekanye, said the theme: ” Steps to Survival” drew experts to educate the public on some signs and symptoms of childhood cancer.

According to her, the organisation has been supporting the treatment and care to children with cancer, especially those from less-privileged families in the FCT and other rural.areas.

” This walk is to educate people on cancer disease and with more people been aware of the diseases, I believe more actions will be taken to support them, have early diagnosis and treatment.

” Government needs to pay more attention to children suffering from cancer in terms of subsidised drugs, initiating policies that will support them, access to treatment,” she said.

Mrs Titilayo Adewunmi, parent of a cancer survivor said: “my son had cancer when he was barely six years old.

” But with support from this foundation, we have been able to access treatment and care. He is now cancer free and is doing well academically as he is now in secondary school.”

Adewunmi, who spoke on behalf of other parents, guardians and survivors of childhood cancer, expressed appreciation to the foundation for its financial, pscho-social, educational and economy supports.

Also, Dr Uduak Offiong, Consultant Paedetric Oncologist, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital,urged the government to carry out free cancer screening for children, improved access to care and treatment at subsidised rates.

Offiong noted the high cost of cancer treatment, cultural, religious and social beliefs as factors that impede treatment and cure for the various diseases.

She said: ” We should ensure that children are diagnosed early. Things like awareness programs, government policies and certain symptoms in children should be screened.

” Also, in the policy, cancer screening and treatment for children should be free, just like we have for adult screening.

” Parents should also be alert, not only for cancer, but every ailments.They should seek treatments in the hospital.”

The oncologist also stressed the need for awareness creation on signs and symptoms of cancer, as well as importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

She listed some childhood cancer symptoms to include unusual lump or swelling, sudden unexplained weight loss, unexplained paleness and loss of energy, frequent headaches offer with vomiting and others.

” The poor health literacy in our country, if at the primary health care level, there is education, so everytime a patient visits the hospital for whatever it is, there should be proper education.

” And if parents or people can have faith in the system they will also be ready to spread the message about early diagnosis and treatment that they went early to the hospital and their child was healed.

” So we need to improve the health literacy in our nation,” she said.

Similarly Dr Ezie Patrick, Medical Director, Silver Cross Hospital, encouraged people to engage in regular medical checkup to ascertain their health status.

” The checks we have done here, we found out that there are some people who planned to go on this walk, but were not fit to engage in it either due to high blood pressure or their sugar level is high.

” So screening is good as it also helps people to know their health condition at every point in time.

” It is very important because we want to reduce the rates of people having mortalities and morbidities from problems that they may or may not know they have,” he said.

He also called on the government to subsidise cancer treatment for citizens suffering from cancer disease.

“Everywhere in the world, cancer treatment is expensive, the burden is now on the society to provide enabling environment and subsidised treatment for its citizens.

“It is one of the responsibilities that government owns its citizens to ensure that some of these illnesses, especially cancer treatment that has high financial burden is accessible to the public,” he said.

NAN reports that other activities include free medical screening and drugs for HIV, Hepatitis, sugar level, blood pressure and others. (NAN)