Anambra To Make Fibroid Surgery More Affordable In Government Hospitals – Health Commissioner
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike has said the state government will make fibroid surgery more affordable in government-owned hospitals as part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for women across the state.
The Commissioner made the disclosure while appearing before the Public Accounts Committee of the Anambra State House of Assembly, explaining that the decision followed the successful completion of free fibroid surgeries for about sixty women who could not afford treatment in private hospitals, where the procedure costs amounts to ₦1.5 million
He said many of the beneficiaries had lived with severe monthly bleeding and complications for years, while some required blood transfusions before surgery because of dangerously low blood levels.
According to him, the intervention became possible following the upgrade of general hospitals approved by the State House of Assembly and the recruitment of specialist consultants, including gynecologists, across the state’s health facilities.
The Commissioner noted that government hospitals, including General Hospital Okpoko now have the capacity to perform specialist procedures that were previously unavailable, while disclosing that at least fifteen fibroid surgeries were successfully carried out at the hospital within one week, and more than one hundred and fifty women registered for the programme despite the initial target of sixty-six patients.
Beyond fibroid treatment, the Commissioner revealed that the ministry also conducted over seventy free cataract surgeries at the Anambra State Eye Care Centre and over one hundred free hernia surgeries exceeding the initial target.
He urged residents to enroll in the state health insurance scheme to benefit from affordable healthcare services, stressing that the government’s priority is to save lives rather than maximize profit.
The House Committee Chairmanon Public Accounts, Honourable Noble Igwe commended the ministry’s efforts while urging it to sustain the delivery of quality and affordable healthcare services across the state.
The committee also cleared the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
