…laments brain drain in health sector
The Society for Gastroenterology and Hepathology in Nigeria, SOGHIN, has called on the Federal Government to establish a Liver Transplantation Centre of Excellence for Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive Diseases.
This is contained in a communique issued by the National President of SOGHIN, Professor Jesse Otegbayo and Secretary, Professor Olusegun Alatishe after the end of the society 14th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Kano State between July 19th and 22nd.
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 University of Nigeria and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria, as the guest speaker.
According to the communique, such establishment will address the increasing cases of of liver problem and stop patients from traveling abroad for medical attention.
The society noted that there was need for government to vote money to 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 in confronting 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 by ensuring 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 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 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.
The president who is also the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital Ibadan, Oyo State called on Federal and State Governments, Philanthropists and well meaning Nigerians to support the lofty plan of building a national secretariat of the Society in Abuja.