By Cecilia Ogezi
An Abuja-based health facility, Cardiocare Speciality Hospital with support from Cardiovascular Education Foundation, has organized an intervention program of about 80 percent discount for 16 patients with various cardiovascular diseases.
In a press briefing held in Abuja, the medical director of CardioCare Multi-Specialty Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Oyindamila Awofisoye, disclosed that the cardiology hospital which is a branch of the Limi Hospital Group which focused on internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine has organized 80 percent Interventional cardiology program due to the immense need for intervention in cardiovascular health in the country.
Awofisoye further explained that the program which is supported by the Cardiovascular Education Foundation in the USA has given the opportunity for the hospital to attend to a few cases which were delayed due to financial constraints. He further added that heart diseases are greatly underreported which has resulted in sudden deaths. He noted that it is achievable and now available to have quality cardiovascular care in the country.
According to him, this would stem losses to medical tourism and improve the accessibility of tertiary healthcare services, just as it also allows for basic skills to be passed on to fellows who will take part in procedures to go back and pass knowledge to their institutions. He added that it results in a cascading effect which will hopefully address the problems of brain drain in the sector.
Dr Awofisoye however, recommended frequency of heart checks from middle age, for every two years, and more frequently when risk factors of overweight, hypertension or smoking status are present.
Dr. Tayo Addo, an Interventional cardiologist, USA, expressed his satisfaction with the hospital while noting that they have been partnering with Nigerian physicians for years through education and in commitment to ensuring that cardiovascular procedures, particularly the ones involving the cathlap minimum procedures techniques are perfected so that patients can leave the same day or next, after the procedure is done.
He noted that there is a great need to provide more centers to enable the foundation partner in providing cardiocare. He added that it also allows for the training of more physicians to replicate standards of cardiocare as seen in countries with better medical care.
Consultant, Interventional cardiologist, Dr. Edafe Emmanuel, stressed that it is laudable that the foundation has partnered with many institutions for these interventions for years now, adding that it as well trains fellows and allow for procedures that were rare due to high cost of surgery accessible at low cost due to the interventional program. NNL.
