The International College of Surgeons (ICS), in collaboration with its Nigeria Section, has carried out free surgical outreach in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to support indigent and vulnerable Nigerians with life-saving procedures.
The two-day outreach is part of activities lined up for the ICS 58th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference (AGM-SC) holding from June 23 to 27. This year’s conference is themed “Surgical Safety in a Developing Economy: The Role of Technology and Healthcare Innovations”, with sub-themes addressing healthcare financing, public-private partnerships, and strategies to enhance surgical safety.
During the surgical outreach at Wellington Neurosurgical Centre, Abuja, the chief consultant Neurosurgeon and chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, said the initiative aims to provide surgical care to at least 20 patients with complex medical conditions.
“These are procedures that many of the patients cannot afford. We are handling complicated surgeries involving anesthesia and advanced techniques. It’s part of our commitment to making a real impact by reaching those who are often left behind,” he said.
The chairman of the Surgical Outreach Committee, Dr Mandus Akonjom, noted that Nigeria was deliberately chosen as the host country in accordance with the ICS’s mission to reach underserved populations.
“We’ve brought together a multidisciplinary team comprising neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, urologists, plastic surgeons, gynecologists, ENT specialists, and ophthalmologists. The procedures range from brain and orthopedic surgeries to ENT and eye operations, all requiring high levels of expertise and equipment,” he said.
Among the critical cases being handled are two infants, aged four and seven months, suffering from hydrocephalus; a condition involving fluid buildup in the brain that can hinder development if left untreated.
A specialist anaesthesiologist, Dr Uzowulu Rosemary, used the opportunity to warn against the growing trend of medical tourism. She emphasised that Nigerian doctors, both at home and abroad, are well-trained and capable of delivering world-class care.
“It’s not the wish of doctors to leave Nigeria. Many are underpaid or owed salaries, yet they remain committed. We need to invest more in our health system and trust our local professionals,” she said.
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