Stakeholders task FG on health insurance scheme

Amidst deteriorating health conditions of Nigerians, the federal government has again been called upon to make the national health insurance scheme accessible to all without hindrances.

Inaugurating a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) diagnostic machine, Signa Explorer 1.5 Tesla, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Memfys Hospital, Enugu, Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam, said his plea had become necessary as the poverty situation in the country had made it difficult for most Nigerians to pay for their medical treatment.

Ohaegbulam stated that the hospital, which also marked its 17th anniversary, invested on the 16 channels model, the highest grade in the country, which global experts had confirmed would be capable of performing the advanced protocols they needed for an accurate diagnosis.

According to the renowned neurosurgeon, “this 1.5T MRI will now help us to introduce sequences and protocols that were hitherto impossible, resulting in improved image quality, faster scanning and yet more patient comfort, it will tremendously expand the scope of service with even the capability for whole-body screening for cancer without exposing the patient to radiation.”

While re-affirming the commitment of the management to the growth of tertiary education in the country, the medical director noted that the new machine would also facilitate the training, research and advanced medical care, adding that without any external financial support, Memfys hospital had contributed wholly or partially to the training of 25 of the 80 neurosurgeons in Nigeria, a feat only exceeded by the university college hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ohaegbulam was happy with the progress recorded by the hospital so far, stressing that as the only private institution in West Africa that has full accreditation for Neurosurgical training by both the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) and the West Africa College of Surgeons (WACS), “the sky would only be our starting point”. The medical surgeon also praised the GE Healthcare led by Mr. Kelechi Ekeledo for persevering and delivering the machine on time despite several challenges.

He further disclosed that as part of its social responsibility and to give back to society, the hospital, under its SHEPPAD project, holds free medical consultations every last Thursday of the month, adding that participants of the medical outreach benefit from discounted head Computed Tomography (CT) scans if required.

Apart from offering neurosurgery residency training for medical doctors from different parts of the country, Memfys hospital provides services in Neurosurgery, Neurology, Paediatrics and Radiology.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Shekarau Abubakar Aku, said the acquisition of the Signa Explorer MRI model by Memfys Hospital, Enugu, was a big boost to healthcare in the country and commended the founder, Ohaegbulam, for the great feat despite the bad economic climate. Prof. Aku who is the chairman, governing board, Nigeria National Merit Award, Abuja, described the 17th anniversary of Memfys hospital as a celebration of excellence.

Also speaking, the chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State, Dr. Ike Okwesili, explained that the new 1.5T MRI machine would facilitate healthcare delivery in the country, stressing that with the facilities available, Memfys Hospital had now emerged as the leading centre for radiology and medical imaging in Nigeria.

The historic event was attended by the cream of the medical profession and the clergy, prominent among them were the CMD National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Dr. Cajethan Nwadinigwe; CMD Mother of Christ Specialist Hospital Enugu, Rev. Sister Dr. Ezechukwu Pascalina.

Dr. Mike Ezenyirioha of Julius Memorial Hospital Enugu; Prof. Moses Mgbo of Hansa clinic; CMD Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Parklane, Prof H. Onah as well as the Provost Prof A.I Ugochukwu and Mr. Namadi Ibrahim as the Registrar NNMA.

Also in attendance was the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu represented by Ven. Arinze Egemba, Bishop of Nike Diocese of Anglican Communion Right Rev. Dr C.O. Onyia, Prof. Jonathan Azubuike, Prof. Edwin Okoroma, Prof. Wilfred Mezue and Prof. Chinwuba Ijoma.