Abuja, September 22, 2024 — The President of the Nigerian Society of Interventional Radiology, Anas Ismail, has revealed that Nigeria is losing significant amounts of money due to medical tourism. Speaking at a press conference following the 7th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Radiologists in Nigeria (ARIN), Ismail attributed this loss to a lack of functional equipment and a shortage of trained radiologists in the country.
“The key challenges facing the practice of Interventional Radiology in Nigeria are the inadequate number of functioning equipment and the limited number of trained personnel,” he said. These shortages force many patients who can afford it to seek treatment abroad, which affects both the health sector and the country’s economy.
In a related development, Dr. Wande Titus, a Consultant Radiologist at NISA Hospital in Abuja, encouraged Nigerians not to fear breast cancer, noting that early diagnosis and proper treatment can save lives. Dr. Titus emphasized the importance of breast imaging, including ultrasound scans and mammograms, to detect cancer at an early stage.
Sule Saidu, the immediate past president of ARIN, also highlighted the critical role radiologists play in patient care, using technology such as ultrasounds and X-rays to diagnose and treat patients.
The loss of funds due to medical tourism continues to be a pressing issue for Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
