The demand for advanced medical treatments is rising, especially in developing countries.
Access to specialised healthcare services has become crucial for improving patient outcomes and overall public health.
In Nigeria, the establishment of liver transplant centres is an urgent necessity, as many citizens currently face barriers to receiving essential treatments.
To break this barrier, the Africa Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancer Consortium (AHPBCC) has announced its readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government to establish Nigeria’s first liver transplant centre.
This initiative aims to address a critical gap in healthcare access for patients suffering from liver diseases.
The Need For Liver Transplant Centres
Dr. Abidemi Omonisi, the AHPBCC Team Lead in Nigeria, highlighted that the need for a liver transplant centre in the country is long overdue.
“Many African nations already have such facilities,” he noted, stressing that Nigerians often have to travel abroad for treatment.
“This situation leaves many low-income citizens without the means to seek necessary care, often leading to dire consequences.
Omonisi emphasised that this trend must change.
He called for a Memorandum of Understanding between AHPBCC and the Federal Government to establish liver transplant centres in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
This approach would ensure that patients have access to affordable treatment locally.
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“The initiative will extend across all six geopolitical zones,” Omonisi explained.
“Liver cancer patients and those with end-stage liver diseases should be able to receive transplants in Nigeria without exorbitant costs.”
He further lamented, “Many of our patients cannot afford to travel abroad for transplants.
“They are often treated symptomatically until they pass away. This situation must change for good.”
Liver Transplant Centres In Africa
Omonisi pointed out that several African countries, including Egypt, South Africa, and Uganda, have successfully implemented liver transplant programs.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria could do the same, not only in Kano but across all geopolitical zones.
He added that discussions around establishing a liver transplant centre in Nigeria have been ongoing for years, but now is the time to turn plans into reality.
The AHPBCC, led by Dr. Lewis Roberts, aims to harness resources and expertise from Africa, the United States, and Europe.
The goal is to investigate how various factors—such as lifestyle, environment, and viral influences—impact the development of hepato-pancreato-biliary cancers.
Expert Support For Initiative
Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, President of the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria and Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital in Ibadan, praised AHPBCC for its initiative.
He pledged the support of the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN), which consists of medical professionals dedicated to gastrointestinal and liver health, to ensure the program’s success.
With these efforts, the establishment of liver transplant centres in Nigeria could soon become a reality, offering hope to countless patients in need.