World news – GB – How LASUTH is Curbing the Capital’s Journey in Medical Tourism – Today

Annually, a large number of Nigerians travel abroad for medical tourism, especially cardiac surgeries, encouraging capital flight To change this narrative, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital used to perform such surgeries at a cheaper rate Written by Rebecca Ijifuma, who chronicled some success stories

For years, thousands of Nigerians have been traveling relentlessly abroad for medical interventions, an act that portrays healthcare in the country as of lesser quality. In light of this, it may take some time to curb the worrying trend of medical tourism in Nigeria. COVID-19 led to its stark halt this year

Estimates show annually more than 500 Nigerians travel abroad – India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France and other countries, with $ 1 billion spent

Some of the medical interventions that have attracted Nigerians abroad are childbirth, kidney transplantation, cancer treatment, orthopedics, brain surgery, open heart surgeries, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, kidney transplantation, orthopedic surgery, and eye surgery, among a host of others

The reasons for caring for medical systems abroad are not unrelated to the fact that the country’s health system is weak if not one of the least funded, the position of health workers, poor infrastructure and a shortage of manpower, among other things

Unfortunately today, as we have seen in the new and mainstream media, some Nigerians go so far as appealing to the public for funds or sponsorship to go for their surgeries abroad

However, this year Nigerians have taken to social media to praise LASUTH’s cardiac surgery team for performing successful open heart surgeries among others

One such success that was recorded this year is the success of Abyudun Omotayo, who could have been at the top of the number of medical tourists abroad but for a timely LASUTH intervention the bill was paid to the 22-year-old International Relations graduate from Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Osun, to have surgery abroad for N 50 million but later performed for N3million at LASUTH

In a video spread on social media, the 22-year-old gave reasons Nigerians should trust their medical experts and avoid medical tourism after being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease in Nigeria

“I just finished NYSC in May 2020 and fell ill early this year. I was admitted to the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH). My doctor discovered that I had cardiovascular disease that damaged a valve in my heart and needed valve replacement surgery.”

In the words of an international relations graduate, doctors told him the surgery would cost N50million to travel abroad but the director of the Kanu Heart Foundation, Dr Anyanwu, introduced me to Dr. Bode Falase, Senior Consultant and Senior Lecturer at LASUTH, who said he would perform the surgery at a lower price, Not more than N3million ‘

Fallas’s words were backed by actions that turned into the success and disclosure of Abiodun, “By God Almighty, he performed the operation with the cardiology team on September 28 of this year.

While acknowledging the hand of God in the successful surgery, Abiodun also thanked Dr. Vallas and his team for the good work “I want to thank Dr. Vallas and his team the Governor of Lagos State Mr. Papajid Sanu Oulu and the Lagos State Government also LASUTH is the right place to have good facilities and equipment Doctors and nurses Are friendly It’s fun and enjoyable, now I’m fully recovered and back home I’m still looking for a job. ”

Adding her voice, Abiodun’s mother, Mrs. Omotayo, God forbid, and the doctors on behalf of her son

She said, “I want to appreciate the Lagos state government for equipping it to South, Dr. Valase and his team for a good job on my son. I want to appreciate all the staff at LASUTH. Thank you very much.

On Twitter, eulogies were flooded on LASUTH to gradually change the narrative with successful surgeries. A mother and daughter encouraged Abiodun’s words

The 19-year-old patient underwent a successful open-heart surgery after being diagnosed with a hole in the heart at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Suroller, last November

Joe Imhanoa said, « Even when I was transferred to the general ward, doctors would come to see me every day; the treatment didn’t decrease even when I left, the doctors were encouraging me even when I didn’t feel like getting up »

So she urged Nigerians, « Don’t be discouraged. Come to Lasuth. The facilities are awesome and the people there will make you feel like you’re walking in the air »

After the successful operation on October 20 of this year, the mother, Mrs. Harriet Ezeehi took to Twitter to tell her boundless joy, « We celebrate your love for humanity, Dr. Al Falas and the staff. »

The jubilant mother urged Nigerians to take care of LASUTH, adding that with the facilities there now not all hope in the country’s health sector has been lost

A Twitter user, Ayanfe Eledumare, who showered encouraging words on the hospital, said: “A beacon of hope and good news in the midst of chaos. I believe in the Nigerian dream and I know that God loves us and that things will get better. God bless all who want the best for Nigeria. LASUTH surgeons, may God bless you and bless you More to do more grace to do more for humanity « 

While others like Oreoluwa and Lilly LASUTH praised the « Up LASUTH » expressions in their tweets, another Twitter user, Black Chili Pepper and Pancake Plug, described LASUTH as awesome « that’s why most utilities refer to LASUTH »

Once again, another Nigerian, Mr Kachy Ben Nnagha, took to Twitter to give his voice « Valas, a great character, an excellent surgeon I’ve always wondered what his motivation is. I hope we can celebrate more of our distinguished professionals who challenge the odds to do great things »

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Another tweet said, « The LASUTH Cardiac Surgery Unit headed by Dr. Falase is highly recommended for the excellent work they do using 100% of local resources for open heart surgery »

In response to the successful open-heart surgery video that has gone viral since then, LASUTH University Medical Director Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo said, This is not the first time they have had open heart surgery

He explained, “This video went viral that surprised us. This was not the first case of open-heart surgery we perform at LASUTH”

According to CMD, the cardiology team led by Prof. Dr. Al Falas has been performing open heart surgery without any outside help, expats or diaspora for about a year now

“So, although we are happy to have a satisfied and satisfied mother coming out to tell a good story of what is happening in Lassouth, this is not new. The story of open heart surgery goes back many years when we used to send missions from the United States, where the United Kingdom works with our staff in Few cases and come back

From Fabamo’s point of view, “When he took office, it was clear to us that it could not continue. I wasn’t comfortable with a lot of people coming in and going. I thought we had to have open heart surgery from local sources. It would be to the surgeons, nurses, and others involved in Open heart surgery is a sufficient credit if you are going to do it on your own. « 

Following his decision, CMD made sure that the missionaries who came made a deliberate effort to teach surgeons and nurses unlike before when they just came, do what they do and go

He added: “This time we made sure our staff learn from them. We have been on our own for a long time now. We have successfully performed a large number of open heart surgery cases.”

Fabamo said they also encouraged collaboration with one or two organizations that perform open heart surgery. LASUTH cooperates with groups at Babcock University, Reddington Hospital and also the First Heart Clinic

This changed the story of LASUTH and hinted at, “By doing so, we have been able to ensure that employees gain the skills to stand on their own”

Today, the success stories of Abiodun and Joe-Imhanoa come on the heels of the Lagos state government’s decision to renew and modernize the emergency surgical facility among other things in 2018

This was one of the reasons why medical experts were demanding that if Nigeria should have a robust health system with standard equipment, its citizens might not seek treatment abroad, breaking their banks compared to the amount if it was done in the country. / p>

In this regard, LASUTH has begun to reverse medical tourism with its newly equipped facility and professional services for its surgeons

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, Medicine, Medical Tourism, Healthcare