Salako commends Cardiocare Hospital Abuja for role in reversing medical tourism

Over 800 healthcare professionals from across Nigeria and beyond including top specialists, doctors, nurses and other disciplines gathered at the 8th Annual Abuja Cardiovascular Symposium, organized by Cardiocare Multispecialty Hospital – A Centre of Excellence for Cardiovascular Medicine. The symposium, which was successfully held on the 5th and 6th of December 2024, was themed and focused on “Sudden Cardiac Death,” with sub-themes of Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and Cardiovascular Care Algorithms.

Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, was present in his official capacity while also representing the Supervising Minister of Health commended the Cardiocare Hospitals Abuja and Dr. Iseko Iseko, Group Managing Director (GMD) of Limi Hospital Group and for organizing the annual landmark event that has been instrumental to reversing medical tourism and improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Speaking at the event, the Honorable Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration between the healthcare workforce and Federal government in addressing the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular death in Nigeria. He also implored healthcare workers to intensify their resolve towards Nigerian healthcare and to resist the pull of outbound emigration in collaboration with the drive of the current administration.

The event highlighted critical advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sudden cardiac death, focusing on life-saving interventions such as ECG interpretation, Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). These topics were taught extensively through practical sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and in-depth discussions.

One of the highlights of the symposium was the keynote 2nd annual LM Iseko Memorial lecture was delivered by Prof. A. Odili, President of the Nigeria Cardiac Society, where he made a passionate appeal for the inclusion of basic life support skills at multiple education levels to improve sudden death management.

Cardiocare Multispecialty Hospital has demonstrated her commitment to cardiovascular excellence in Nigeria not only by offering advanced medical and surgical cardiac care services; but also by leading the way in supplementary postgraduate cardiovascular education for healthcare workers. The success of this year’s symposium further affirms the hospital’s leadership role in advancing cardiovascular medicine in the country.

Dr. Iseko Iseko, Group Medical Director of the Limi Hospital Group, expressed the hospitals’ sincere gratitude to all the attendees, speakers, sponsors, partners and the Federal Government for their contributions to making this event a resounding success which would go a long way towards reducing Nigeria’s reliance on medical tourism and improving healthcare outcomes for all Nigerians.