The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (AKTH) says it has initiated studies to facilitate liver transplant to enhance treatment of liver cancer and other related diseases in the hospital.
Prof. Abdulrahman Sheshe, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, made the disclosure at the maiden Liver Surgery Symposium organised by the hospital on Tuesday in Kano.
The symposium with the theme: “Advancing Liver Surgeries in Nigeria”, was organised by the Department of Surgery of the hospital.
Shehe said the hospital has been conducting successful kidney transplants in the past 20 years and has initiated studies to improve case management and treatment of kidney diseases.
“We are doing kidney transplant for over 20 years. Presently, we have over 60 kidney transplant patients.
“AKTH has the highest number of kidney patients in the country. It is time to move a step forward to develop and start liver transplant,” the medical director said.
Sheshe noted that the high manifestation of liver diseases in the country was a source of concern, which needed a comprehensive approach to stem the disease.
“Proactive actions should be applied to reduce the mortality, which is 100 per cent.”
According to him, the symposium will enable surgeons and other specialists to deliberate and fashion out preventive and curative methods to curb the disease.
Also speaking, Dr. Ibrahim Sulaiman of the Department of Surgery, said the symposium was also designed to build the capacity of medical personnel to meet the healthcare needs of the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 100 participants attended the event. (NAN)
