The federal government has challenged the Nigerian Association of Nephrology to ensure that no Nigerian travels abroad for renal transplant as from next year.
Health minister, Isaac Adewole threw up the challenge at the 29th conference of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology held at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, Osun state.
Correspondent Ibrahim Alege reports that the challenge became necessary in view of medical tourism and the attendant capital flight by Nigerians who prefer to seek better medical care for renal or kidney diseases abroad.
Health Minister, Isaac Adewole said this must stop and that is why the federal government has approved proposals to stop this trend.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, Professor Babatunde Salako highlighted some of the challenges confronting treatment of renal or kidney disease patients in Nigeria.
These include lack of adequate resources,m, training and data as well as brain drain.
To Emeritus professor of medicine, Oladipo Akinkugbe and Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, the conference should come up with solutions to some of the identified problems in the treatment of renal or kidney disease in Nigeria.
Chronic renal disease is one of the most common chronic medical disorders in Nigeria and one of the three reasons for medical tourism abroad.
Ibrahim Alege, TVC News, Ile Ife, Osun state.
