Nigerians’ll Soon Access Affordable Surgical Care  -FG

In meeting up with the World Health Assembly Resolutions, the Federal Ministry of Health has assured Nigerians of easy access to affordable surgical care in the country.
Consultant Grade 1, Federal Ministry of Health, Hospital Services, Dr. Deborah Bitrus-Oghoghorie, gave the assurance at the enlightenment session of medical personnel at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, on Wednesday.
Bitrus-Oghoghorie, who doubles as the Desk Officer, National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anesthesia and Nursing Plan (NSOANP), disclosed that NSOANP would carry its policy down to states and disseminate its plan in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
She explained that NSOANP was charged with providing affordable, accessible and safe surgery to Nigerians that need it as part of universal health coverage, adding that every Nigerian would benefit from the plan should it be implemented.
While noting that surgical services would be made closer to the people through the plan, Bitrus-Oghoghorie said “this is as a result of World Health Assembly Resolution in 2015 which mandated member states to include basic and surgical care as part of universal coverage in the country.
“Federal Ministry of Health produced the plan and most of the implementation takes place at the state level.
“That is why we started the dissemination to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory after approval was given at the National Council of Health.
The NSOANP desk officer said that Nigerians should be able to afford basic services for surgery, adding that services should be safe and not make people spend beyond their means.
She said that World Health Assembly Resolution 68:15 says Surgical, Obstetrics, Anesthesia and Nursing care are important components of Universal Health Coverage.
According to her, the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is only complete when surgeries are fully integrated into healthcare services.
Bitrus-Oghoghorie said surgery prevention was also possible should there be early presentation of surgical condition.