MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Monday, pledged the support of his administration towards the development of neurosurgery practice in the territory.
He made this pledge while playing host to the members of Neurosurgery Society of Nigeria in his office in Abuja.
Malam Bello, who was represented by the Director of Human Resources, Hajia Amina Abubakar, described Neurosurgery as a critical component of the FCT administration’s programme of the delivery of effective health services in the territory.
According to a statement issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the minister, Cosmas Uzodinma, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, the minister lamented the personnel gap being experienced in the field of Neurosurgery in Nigeria and its negative impact on the health sector.
He then expressed his readiness to partner with the society towards bridging the human resource gap in the field.
“I know it is an essential field that we need to encourage and I am happy that you are bringing this Conference to Nigeria because we need a lot of support in all aspects of medicine. Abuja as a growing city needs all the backing it can muster to attain a great city status, medically and otherwise. Your choice of Abuja is therefore very timely and welcome,” he added.
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The minister noted that the FCT hoped to benefit immensely from the conference as it would catalyze the development of neurosurgical practice and studies in Nigeria and attract foreign direct investment in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
Earlier, the President of the society, Professor Sam Ohaegbulam, has intimated the minister on a planned conference by Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS) scheduled for Abuja in July, 2018.
He disclosed that the Nigeria has less than 60 Neurosurgeons and indeed that the entire West Africa has less than 200.
The immediate consequence, he stressed, was high incidence of avoidable deaths from accidents resulting from lack of adequate number of Neurosurgeons.
Professor Ohaegbulam revealed that over 350 delegates and experts would be gracing the event from across the world and would be talking about different topics which are crucial in the world of neurosurgery.
“It is an honour to follow the lead of the South Africa that hosted the conference last year, to host this congress next year 2018 July because it is a big occasion, and would facilitate partnership with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and different continental neurosurgical bodies. It is so intimidating that we thought we don’t have the ability to manage it without help from those who are very experienced in hosting this type of thing and that is why we got Europa to assist us.
“We need help and we need support from the Federal Capital Territory and that is why we have approached your Administration to tell you about what is coming to your doorsteps and see how you can assist us and key in into this major event,” the president said.
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