In a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, the Federal Government has teamed up with the Israeli Embassy to enhance expertise in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery.
This collaboration aims to bridge the skill gap in handling complex liver, bile duct, and pancreas-related conditions in Nigeria.
The initiative was officially launched at the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Symposium held at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja.
Why This Initiative Matters
During the event, Dr. Salma Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the President on Health, highlighted the impact of this partnership.
She described the symposium as a “success story” that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for universal healthcare coverage in Nigeria.
“Beyond the surgeries performed, what matters most is the capacity building. Our healthcare providers have learned new skills, and knowledge transfer has taken place,” Dr. Ibrahim stated.
She emphasized that early detection of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases is crucial, as many Nigerians seek treatment at advanced stages, making medical intervention more difficult.
Israel’s Role in Strengthening Nigeria’s Healthcare System
The Israeli government has been a key partner in healthcare development, capacity building, and medical digitalization in Nigeria.
Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to making Nigeria a center of excellence in medical care.
“Our vision is for Nigeria to become a top destination for medical treatment. Instead of Nigerians traveling abroad for healthcare, we want patients from other countries to come here for advanced medical procedures,” he said.
Ambassador Freeman also stressed that this partnership is not just about treating four patients who underwent life-saving surgeries during the symposium.
Instead, it’s focused on long-term knowledge transfer, training Nigerian surgeons, and ensuring that local medical professionals can perform these surgeries independently in the future.
A Step Toward Medical Independence
The collaboration saw a team of Nigerian and Israeli surgeons, nurses, and anesthetists working together to develop local expertise.
Dr. Ibrahim acknowledged the contributions of Professor Sadat, an expert who has previously worked on medical projects in Nigeria.
She also praised the Nigerian medical professionals who actively participated in the training, noting that these skills will enhance healthcare delivery nationwide.
What’s Next?
With this new partnership, the Nigerian government aims to:
✅ Reduce medical tourism by ensuring Nigerians can receive advanced medical care at home.
✅ Improve training for local healthcare providers in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery.
✅ Strengthen collaborations between Nigerian and Israeli medical institutions for continued knowledge-sharing.
This marks a significant step toward building a self-sufficient medical system where Nigerian hospitals can handle complex surgeries without relying on foreign specialists.
What Do You Think?
Could this partnership end medical tourism for Nigerians seeking treatment abroad? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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