SOGHIN Bemoans Lack Of Liver Transplantation Services In Nigeria

The Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN) has expressed concerns regarding the lack of liver transplantation services in Nigeria, noting that the cost of transplantation outside the country was prohibitive for the average Nigerian.

In a communiqué that was issued after the recently concluded annual scientific conference of SOGHIN held in Kano, Kano State, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, the president of SOGHIN, and Prof. Olusegun Alatishe, the Secretary-General, called for urgent intervention of the Federal Government so as to curb the worrisome trend.

It also called on the Federal Government to halt the exodus of highly skilled health professionals, including Gastroenterologists and Endoscopy Nurses, as well as trainees in the field of Hepatology.

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Also, the society observed with dismay the dwindling state of priority given to the funding for the diagnosis, treatment, and research on viral hepatitis in the country by respective Governments.

With the theme of the five-day scientific conference ‘Burden and Challenges of Managing Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder’, also resolved that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and all public health authorities should continue to monitor the trend of COVID-19 cases in the country.

The society urged the government to expedite action in the production of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria.

SOGHIN also expressed its worries over the worsening state of insecurity that was manifested by the instances of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of armed attacks in the country.