Nigeria preventive care gets boost as Hospital unveils advanced procedures

To reduce the high cost of curative therapies, Medic Partners Multi Specialist Hospital last week launched a range of advanced procedures designed to prevent medical challenges from the onset. The multi-specialist wellness centre located in Victoria Island, Lagos officially opened Wednesday, promising to assist Nigerians in navigating the challenging economic climate by providing preventive care and increasing awareness of their health conditions.

The Chief Medical Director, of Medic Partners Multi Specialist Hospital and preventive care specialist, Busola Ayelowo-Eso, explained that the disturbing prevalence of preventable diseases in Nigeria informed the centre’s establishment.

Despite a significant increase in the awareness of preventable diseases such as hypertension or end-stage renal disease, Ayelowo-Eso said many are not keen on undertaking comprehensive medical screening.

“A lot of Nigerians have this I don’t-care-attitude of if it’s not disturbing me, why should I look for it? So, preventive medicine is one speciality that hasn’t gotten so much awareness. Nigerians don’t believe in treating what is not broken.

“We still have a very long way to go in preventive medicine because the World Health Organization (WHO) says that at least once a year an average person or an individual should have a medical check-up. In Nigeria, until they start feeling ill, they don’t go to the hospital. So, until we get to that point where everybody knows that once a year, I should check myself irrespective of how I feel, we are not there yet. It’s a growing concern that is being addressed daily.”

The founders of Medic Partners Multi Specialist Hospital have invested in advanced diagnostic and treatment services to aid early detection and management. Specifically, the facility operates with advanced imaging technologies including digital X-rays, and 4D ultrasound, which provide high-resolution images that allow for accurate and early diagnosis of various conditions.

It runs a fully automated laboratory that provides comprehensive laboratory services from routine blood work to specialized diagnostics like genetic testing and molecular diagnostics, within a short time. Automation minimizes human involvement and reduces the risk of errors in terms of reporting.

In terms of kidney care, the facility is equipped with a six-bedded dialysis unit to tackle renal issues among an estimated 50 million people Nigerians who are affected. It has also invested in a fully functional cardiac unit where stress tests, procedures and other heart-related screenings are conducted.

Other specialities are endoscopy and minimally invasive surgeries where its surgical team specializes in minimally invasive techniques, reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes.

“It offers a comprehensive wellness program where we provide holistic wellness check-ups that include advanced diagnostic tests, personalised health assessments, and preventive care strategies, helping patients maintain their health and prevent diseases.

“These advanced services reflect our commitment to providing world-class healthcare and ensuring that our patients have access to the best diagnostic and treatment options available”.

Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Medic Partners, Akin Eso explained that the centre will prioritise exceptional patient experience along with good practices aligned with international standards.

He emphasised that the facility is equipped to bridge the gap for those seeking quality healthcare locally, having assembled top medical expertise and technologies. This reduces the need for medical tourism, providing solutions right here in Nigeria.

The facility operates with a dedicated team of approximately 40 medical professionals and 15 support staff. The medical team includes specialists in family medicine, dermatology, cosmetic surgery, nephrology, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and geriatrics.

“At Medic Partners we are transforming healthcare delivery, ensuring quality. That’s why we prioritise not only providing premium medical services but also ensuring that every interaction is seamless, comfortable and tailored to your needs,” Eso said. 

By Chioma Obinna, Vanguard

Nigeria's central bank surprises with fifth rate hike this year

Nigeria's central bank unexpectedly raised its benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points to 27.25% on Tuesday in a unanimous decision to tame persistent inflationary pressures, bank governor Olayemi Cardoso said.

The move wrongfooted analysts who had expected rates to stay on hold and indicates the bank is prioritizing inflation control over economic growth amid the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

It is the fifth rate hike this year, after increases of 50 basis points (bps) in July, 150 bps in May, 200 bps in March and 400 bps in February which was its largest in around 17 years.

Analysts had expected no rate change after inflation fell for a second consecutive month in August and the naira currency held steady - almost converging on the official and parallel markets - after the bank resumed regular dollar sales to dealers to support the currency.

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso said the multiple rate hikes so far this year had helped moderate inflation, but pressures lingered.

"The MPC noted that even though headline inflation trended downwards due to a moderation in food inflation, core inflation has remained elevated, driven primarily by rising energy prices," Cardoso said.

"The uptrend poses severe concerns to members, as it clearly indicates the persistence of inflationary pressures."

Inflation fell to 32.15% in annual terms in August, but the slowdown could be short-lived after two petrol prices increases this month that have roiled citizens struggling with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

"Despite the consistent tightening resolve of the central bank, the effort starts to look very piecemeal in hindsight, when core inflation is still rising and the policy rate is still negative," said Razia Khan, managing director and chief economist for Africa and Middle East at Standard Chartered.

Price pressures have been spurred by the government slashing petrol and electricity subsidies and twice devaluingthe naira since President Bola Tinubu took over last year.

Lingering inflation risk include crop damage due to floods in the north of the country, potentially causing higher food prices due to lower harvest.

"I guess this was bold, this was audacious, and quite frankly, it would probably help to stabilize Naira a little bit. But definitely the cost of borrowing is going to be higher," said Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Lagos-based Financial Derivatives Company.

By Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Camillus Eboh, Reuters

Video - Experts in Nigeria call for more support to snake farmers to counter anti-venom shortages

Snake farming is not widespread, despite a high demand for venom due to frequent snake bite incidents and related deaths.

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Nigeria's ruling party wins first test since Tinubu elected

Nigeria's ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), has won its first big electoral test since Bola Tinubu became president last year, despite the dire state of the country's economy.

In the southern Edo state, which had previously been in the hands of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo defeated the PDP's Asue Ighodalo.

He gained 291,667 votes against 247,274 for Ighodalo.

However, the PDP has complained of fraud and vowed to challenge the result in court.

"The way these elections are going, they are probably going to be the worst elections in the history of this country," said PDP candidate Ighodalo.

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), which monitored the election, accused both the PDP and APC of vote-buying and also said election official had been intimidated in some areas.

Although the PDP had previously been in power in Edo, the state has been in the hands of the APC for many years so its victory isn't necessarily a huge surprise.

But given Nigeria's economic situation, some analysts had thought the APC could lose.

The country is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation with annual inflation at 34% - the highest in almost three decades.

Food prices have risen even faster - for example, in the commercial hub, Lagos, yams, a staple food, cost almost four times more than they did a year ago.

Last month, massive protests were held across the country over the economic situation.

Political analyst Muzammil Yakasai told the BBC that election violence had prevented some people from voting.

“I don't think the election in itself is a reflection of how people in Edo state and Nigeria see the APC at the moment.”

Another test awaits the APC in another governorship election in the south-western Ondo state in November.
 

Who is Monday Okpebholo?

Before his latest victory, he represented Edo Central as a senator at the National Assembly in an election he won last year.

Born in 1970, Okpebholo, has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Abuja and a masters in policy and leadership studies from the same institution.

Married with two children, the 54-year-old was charged earlier this year over allegations that he had falsified the date on his birth certificate.

He has not commented on the matter which is still in court. However, now that he's a governor, he has immunity from prosecution.

By Mansur Abubakar, BBC

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Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote said that ending Nigeria's gasoline subsidy is a “sensitive issue” in the nation that is used to cheap fuel. He also says it seems that the "time has passed" for him to buy the Arsenal soccer club. He speaks with Bloomberg's Francine Lacqua in New York.

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