By Daniel Tyokua
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has appealed to the federal government to include cancer treatment and other urological ailments into the National Health Insurance Health Scheme (NHIS) coverage.
He stated this while speaking at the 26th AGM and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Urological Surgeons (NAUS) on Thursday in Abuja.
Bello said there is a gross shortage of urologists in Nigeria, adding that the cost for cancer treatment and urological illnesses was astronomical, leading to global loss of lives.
He therefore tasked the medical association to train more urologists and work towards cutting down the cost of treating urological ailments, as well as educate the public on early stages of urological ailments and treatment options.
“The need to train specialists in this field is therefore imperative, and I was elated to learn that one of the objectives of your Organization is the teaching and training of your members and also promotion of research in your field.
“It will also be heartwarming if your association can seek for ways to reduce the cost of treatment which can be astronomical. A lot of lives have been lost to ailments such as enlarged prostrates largely because the cost of treatment was clearly behind their reach”.
The minister said FCT Administration was working with a private financial institution to construct a 500-bed Center of medical excellence in Abuja, within an all-inclusive medical city that would provide world class accommodation and hospital and attract best medical professionals.
Bello expressed the belief that the project would help stop brain drain, medical tourism and save the country the stress of capital flight, and keep the best brains
In his remarks, the minister of health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire blamed medical tourism on lack of trust, or care by citizens.
