The Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS) has called for stronger financing and wider access to cardiovascular care, noting that Nigeria has made significant progress in performing advanced cardiac procedures locally, but many patients still cannot afford the service.
The call was made at the Society’s 55th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, themed ‘Advanced Cardiovascular Care Practice in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges,’ with a focus on the impact of insecurity on cardiovascular care.
Chairman of the opening ceremony, Dr Adeyemi Johnson, said more than ever, Nigeria now has the expertise and infrastructure to provide advanced cardiac services locally.
‘We have moved the needle in Nigeria as far as cardiovascular care is concerned. Most of the procedures are now being done in-country as opposed to 20 years ago when everybody had to go abroad,’ he said.
Johnson identified affordability and access as major challenges, urging stakeholders to develop a practical financing system for cardiac care.
In his welcome address, the President of the NCS, Prof. Augustine Odili, said the conference was designed to examine how advances in cardiovascular medicine could be translated into accessible, affordable and sustainable care for Nigerians.
Odili stressed that cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, arrhythmias, rheumatic and congenital heart diseases, continued to pose a major health challenge.
The NCS president called for a comprehensive approach that links prevention and early detection with primary, specialist and advanced tertiary care.
On her part, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Folasade Daniel, said the conference was taking place at a critical period for Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly against the backdrop of insecurity and its impact on access to medical services.
Representing the Lagos State First Lady, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Road Hospital, Dr Folasade Fadare, said cardiovascular disease remained a major cause of death globally and was increasingly affecting younger people, mothers and pregnant women.
Fadare said the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was taking steps to strengthen the state’s health system and address non-communicable diseases through prevention, early detection, improved cardiac facilities and training of healthcare personnel.
She called for greater advocacy and investment in cardiovascular care at the grassroots, stressing the need to make cardiac health education accessible to ordinary residents.