LUTH Conducts 391 Successful Surgeries in January

As part of efforts to curb medical tourism in the country, the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has stated that it had intensified efforts towards providing world class services to Nigerians needing treatment or diagnosis.

It said in January alone, a total of 391 successful surgeries were performed at its theatres, while between February 1st and 9th, 141 operations were done successfully, as well.

Stating this recently, the Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Christopher Bode, said the January figure was even typically lower than the usual monthly returns, simply because Nigerians loath to spend December and January on admission, which he described as culturally unpalatable.

“Of those who surgeries were carried out on, some could not pay and we did not discriminate against that.

Twenty-nine cases were postponed in the past five weeks for reasons of being unfit to undergo scheduled operations, patient declining operation at the last minute, other life-threatening emergencies, explosion of a transformer and a sudden generator breakdown.

“This is within international acceptable limits for our subregion. Our Intensive Care Unit is full and to the best of our capability, we are providing our quota to the upliftment of the people’s health,” he added.

He said in making sure there are no hassles in the process of giving out surgical services to patients, all consumable items from reagents, stationery, dressings, gloves, cannulae and cleaning materials are bulk-purchased and delivered to end-user departments, adding that, that way, the end-users who now sign for these items in bulk no longer complain of non-supply.

Meanwhile, he said LUTH required at least two cancer machines, adding that the only one available has lasted 12 years and was treating over 100 patients everyday. On cancer care, he said LUTH requires the Linear Accelerator machine (LINAC) used to treat cancer.

“Ours is probably the only one of its kind still working in Nigeria as of today. Nigeria once has seven such machines but ours is one of the two or possibly the only one working. It is however prone to breakdowns and our engineers strive strenuously to maintain it.

Sometimes, we send for assistance from its overseas makers, though they have stopped producing this particular model. In consonance with other affected hospitals, we are in talks with various levels of government to urgently replace this equipment that will cost over $4million,” he added.