The federal government, through the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Health, has teamed up with the Israeli Embassy to launch an initiative aimed at bridging the gap in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery in the country.
The initiative was announced during the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Symposium held at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, , Dr. Salma Ibrahim lauded the symposium as a “success story,” emphasizing that it aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for universal healthcare coverage.
Dr. Ibrahim noted that the symposium’s impact went beyond the surgeries performed, highlighting the crucial role of capacity building in empowering Nigerian healthcare providers.
“Our healthcare providers have learned new skills, and knowledge transfer has taken place,” she said.
Furthermore, even those unable to attend the event in person were able to engage virtually.
Dr. Ibrahim underscored the importance of early detection in the management of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases, pointing out that many patients often present at advanced stages of illness.
She expressed hope that this new partnership would help address such challenges by ensuring broader access to advanced healthcare services across Nigeria.
The special adviser also praised the Israeli Embassy for its continuous collaboration in various healthcare development projects, including previous initiatives in capacity building, digitalization, and overall healthcare advancement.
