Nigeria’s healthcare system faces vital challenges, starting from underfunded infrastructure to a rising burden of power ailments. These points, mixed with the excessive value of remedy, have left thousands and thousands struggling to afford high quality care.
As an illustration, in Nigeria, out-of-pocket expenditure accounts for greater than 70 % of healthcare financing, based on the World Well being Group (WHO). This heavy reliance on private funds usually forces households into debt or neglecting care altogether. For situations like diabetes, hypertension, and most cancers, late prognosis and insufficient administration not solely worsen outcomes but in addition enhance remedy prices exponentially.
Stakeholders have nevertheless argue {that a} shift towards preventive healthcare may alleviate these challenges by emphasizing early detection, intervention, and well being schooling. This attitude was a focus through the inauguration of Cerba Lancet Nigeria, a state-of-the-art diagnostic facility in Lagos.Talking on the occasion, the Lagos state commissioner for Well being, Professor Akin Abayomi, highlighted the significance of diagnostic testing in shaping remedy methods and lowering the dangers of polypharmacy and antimicrobial misuse. „Testing earlier than remedy is essential. Utilizing laboratories to outline remedy methods ensures that we keep away from points with the overuse of antimicrobials, malaria medicine, and antibiotics, all whereas addressing the essential situation of antimicrobial resistance,“ Abayomi said.
Abayomi said that having the power in Lagos would assist handle the difficulty of out-of-pocket expenditure and antimicrobial resistance, as the power is a dependable facility that may not solely affirm diagnoses like malaria and bacterial infections but in addition conduct sensitivity exams to find out probably the most acceptable antibiotics. He known as on Cerba Lancet to broaden their native testing capability in Nigeria to cut back turnaround occasions for outcomes. „We have to construct this capability domestically, which can assist enhance our response occasions and cut back reliance on sending exams overseas,“ he added.
Past diagnostic testing, Abayomi careworn the significance of addressing the nation’s healthcare workforce challenges, notably the continuing mind drain. He highlighted Lagos state’s efforts to mitigate this situation, together with the institution of a College of Drugs and Well being Sciences aimed toward producing a brand new technology of medical professionals, from medical doctors to bioinformaticians. „By creating an surroundings that gives becoming workplaces and acceptable remuneration, we may also help stem the tide of mind drain whereas boosting our healthcare capability,“ he defined.
The commissioner additionally talked about the position of the Lagos State regulatory company, the Well being Services Monitoring and Accreditation Company (HEFAMAA), in guaranteeing the standard of healthcare companies throughout the state. He reassured Cerba Lancet that HEFAMAA‘s regulatory framework wouldn’t solely defend well-established services but in addition fight quackery within the sector, thereby guaranteeing extra enterprise for reputable healthcare suppliers.
Abayomi subsequently congratulated Cerba Lancet for his or her ongoing contributions to the state‘s healthcare initiatives, reaffirming that such partnerships are essential in shaping a extra strong and sustainable healthcare system targeted on preventive care.
In the identical vein, the minister of Schooling, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said that the inauguration of Cerba Lancet Nigeria‘s new Laboratory in Lagos, – a world-class, ISO accredited, 24-hour personal pathology lab in Lagos, is a game-changer for Nigerians looking for healthcare, as it’s going to present well timed, correct diagnostics and skilled pathology companies to all.
Alausa counseled the CEO of Cerba Lancet Nigeria, Dr. Olayemi Dawodu and her group for his or her visionary management in advancing diagnostic healthcare throughout Nigeria, whereas difficult her to push the needle by partnering with Medical Faculties and universities to supply residency programmes. „Let‘s work collectively to enhance healthcare outcomes and advance medical analysis for a more healthy Nigeria,“ he added.
The group CEO of Cerba Lancet Africa, Matthieu Gogue, mentioned, „There are huge healthcare wants in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. This isn’t the conclusion of our journey; it’s the starting of a brand new chapter. Our dedication is to proceed investing in expertise and abilities to reinforce the standard and velocity of diagnostics, giving confidence to healthcare stakeholders.“
Cerba Lancet Africa’s ambition is to ship uniform diagnostic high quality throughout all its laboratories, whether or not in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, or world hubs like Paris and New York. “What you see in our labs right here is on par with one of the best on the earth,” Gogue assured attendees, highlighting their use of state-of-the-art tools and the inclusion of pathologists of their groups. The group CEO underscored the corporate’s deal with patient-centered care, stating, “We aren’t simply working a enterprise; we’re managing lives. Each resolution we make should replicate the immense impression we have now on sufferers and their households.“
Working in 14 international locations throughout Africa and using over 1,000 medical practitioners, Cerba Lancet Africa is dedicated to decentralizing diagnostics. This contains relocating exams beforehand despatched overseas and increasing the portfolio of exams accessible domestically. Gogue defined that this technique not solely enhances accessibility but in addition ensures quicker outcomes, essential for life-altering medical choices.
The CEO, Cerba Lancet Nigeria, Dr. Olayemi Dawodu, disclosed a strategic shift within the firm‘s healthcare strategy, emphasizing preventive care alongside conventional pathology companies. She highlighted the growing significance of preventive healthcare, notably within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas emphasizing that early detection by way of common well being checks may considerably cut back the burden on the healthcare system and enhance the nation’s total well being outcomes.
By detecting situations like hypertension and diabetes early, Cerba Lancet goals to forestall the event of extra advanced and dear ailments. Preventive healthcare is essential not just for particular person well being but in addition for the nation’s economic system. As greater than 70 % of Nigerians pay out-of-pocket for healthcare, stopping ailments may assist alleviate the monetary pressure on people and the healthcare system,“ she said.
Dawodu outlined partnerships with Well being Administration Organizations (HMOs) to make preventive care extra accessible and reasonably priced. „Along with our company partnerships, Cerba Lancet can be reaching underserved communities by way of Company Social Duty (CSR) initiatives, providing screenings and referrals in collaboration with native major healthcare facilities. By means of these efforts, Cerba Lancet Nigeria goals to steer the cost in remodeling the nation’s healthcare panorama, prioritizing preventive well being and dealing to increase the typical Nigerian lifespan past the present 54 years,“ she said.
