The Nigerian Doctors Forum, South Africa (NDF-SA), has partnered health institutions and stakeholders to advance diaspora health impact Initiative aimed to improve healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.

The event, jointly organised by NDF-SA and the stakeholders was held at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba on Monday in Lagos, with the theme: “Advancing Diaspora Health Impact Initiative, NDF-SA programme”.

The stakeholders were LUTH, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), General Hospital Ikorodu, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigerians Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), ExtraLarge Farms & Resorts, Ministry of Health and Cruxstone Development & Investment Ltd.

The President, NDF-SA, Dr Ayokunle Akanbi, said that the initiative was designed to deliver high-impact clinical services, skills harnessing, hard-on up skilling and sustainable capacity building across three high-need specialty areas.

Highlighting the planned programme, Akanbi said the first programme centred on Uterine Fibroid Embolisation, the second planned faculty was in Neurosurgery, while Gastroendoscopy training and diagnostic therapeutic procedures was the third and final programme.

Akanbi added that the weeklong event, holding July 17 to July 25 aimed to improve healthcare delivery particularly in the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

He emphasised the that the team of experts for the initiative would be located at LUTH, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and General Hospital Ikorodu.

According to him, the Forum is partnering with six diaspora medical organisations, Federal and State Ministries of Health, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Medical Association and among other relevant stakeholders.

“Our planned programmes were informed by collaborative discussions held over several months of planning between NDF-SA and the host institutions and stakeholders.

“This initiative offers a strategic opportunity to expand specialty care in Nigeria through through diaspora-local collaboration, delivering immediate clinical impact, strengthening local capacity, and reducing overseas referrals.

“The operation plan emphasises ethical patient selection in collaboration with the three host hospitals, ensuring informed consent and adherence to standard care protocols. Diaspora experts will work alongside Nigerian specialists to promote knowledge exchange and continuityy of care,” Akanbi said.

In his remarks, the Chef Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, appreciated the diaspora doctors for remembering to come back home with such a laudable initiative, which would expand knowledge and skills of the healthcare workforce in Nigeria.

Represented by Prof. Ayodeji Oluwole, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, LUTH, Adeyemo assured readiness of the hospital management to support the initiative in any possible way.

“It is encouraging when Nigeria diaspora doctors do programme like this, because that is the only way we can do exchange of skills and knowledge transfer.

“We wish you success in rest of your engagement days, and we are here to help in any way possible,” Adeyemo said.

The event featured several goodwill messages from stakeholders including the Lagos State Health Service Commission, LASUTH, Lagos State Ministry of Health, General Hospital Ikorodu among others.

Similarly, different paper presentations were made, including the presentation by a Fertility Specialist, Dr Femi Olarogun, on the topic: “Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE) for Fibroids”.

Olarogun described UFE as a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids by blocking their blood supply using tiny injected particles, offering a uterus-preserving alternative to major surgery like a hysterectomy or myomectomy.

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