One of the potential successes of the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare (CMHSW), Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reside in the recent decision by the federal government to upgrade health infrastructure by providing advanced equipment in multiple health facilities in the country.
Making it a reality will certainly reduce foreign health tourism and perhaps encourage doctors considering emigrating to stay at home.
The decision to equip the health facilities is especially notable because it incorporated the provision of two cardiac catheterisation laboratories (Cath Lab), one each for the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, and the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Other diagnostic and intervention radiology and clinical pathology equipment are also in the package for the two hospitals.
When or if the two promised cardiac catheteritisation laboratories are procured and installed in the two teaching hospitals, Nigeria will have four of such vital tools in the healthcare provision system. This is a step forward given the uses and functions of Cath Labs.
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Experts say the functions of Cath Labs include the detection and treatment of over 30 distinct types of heart diseases. Studies indicate that such diseases are rampant in the country.
Other functions of Cath Labs include imaging of coronary and blood vessels in the body. Displayed images on the monitor can be seen in 360° in detail and total clarity. This enables doctors to see the images from many perspectives. The clarity leads to high precision in diagnosing.
A catheterisation laboratory also enabled surgeons to conduct minimally invasive tests and procedures in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases involving the heart and blood vessels.
A teaching hospital from each of the six geopolitical zones has been selected for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres. This is to make accurate cancer diagnosis and care accessible to as many patients as possible in the country.
Those of us delving into medical and healthcare journalism are impressed that the number of cardiac catheterisation laboratories in the country would become four in the next two years, if the proverbial financial constraints do not abort the promised provisions of these tools.
My prayer, as a citizen, to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, is that Nigerians should be given updates on the procurement, delivery and installation of the equipment. Doing so will demonstrate that the hope raised will not be dashed. And there will be no subsequent frivolous petitions alleging failed contract against the minister and the APC-led administration.
Salisu Na’inna Dambatta wrote from Abuja.
