Posted on: Thu 30-01-2025

A consultant Neurologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr Temitope Farombi, has warned that by 2030, Nigerians are projected to experience three times the current burden of brain disorders.

Farombi revealed that one in four persons in Nigeria has hypertension and one in six persons has diabetes, warning that in the next five years, Nigeria would experience three times neurological conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, headache, insomnia, depression, and mental health disease.

The medical practitioner disclosed this during the commissioning of her neuro-critical and neuro-rehabilitation service hospital in Ibadan, christened Brain Centre.

She stated that the centre is a hub for cutting-edge treatments, compassionate care, impactful research and a place where the lives of patients and their families will be transformed, hope restored, and where innovation will lead the way in tackling challenges of brain health.

Farombi said: “We need the government to enact policies to retain our best hands. I decided to stay back to provide for the community, having been trained by the government for over 20 years. This is giving back to society and giving back to the government.”

Farombi said the centre stands as a beacon of hope, innovation, and excellence committed to improving the lives of patients with neurological disorders. “In Nigeria today, one in four persons has hypertension and also one in six persons have diabetes. These non-communicable diseases are driving neurological conditions in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Director General, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, described the hospital as a game changer, saying it would bridge a critical gap in Nigeria’s healthcare system by addressing neurological emergencies and supporting the long-term recovery of patients with complex neurological conditions.

According to the former Health Commissioner in Osun State, the facility can address brain health for all Nigerians, particularly for Persons Living with HIV(PLHIV). She said the hospital would also transform lives and elevate the standard of healthcare in Nigeria.

“The centre symbolises hope for a future where specialised care is accessible. It reflects our shared commitment to building a healthcare system prioritising every aspect of health, including the often-overlooked domain of brain health.

“For PLHIV, the centre represents a future where no one is left behind, where every individual can live a life of dignity and purpose, regardless of the challenges they face,’’ the DG said.

Senator Sarafadeen Alli, who was the chairman of the occasion, and represented by Dr Saka Adewunmi, said the centre was a testament to collective efforts to bring healthcare services to Ibadan and urged that it serve as a model for innovative healthcare solutions in Nigeria and beyond.

The senator pledged continued legislative activities towards the improvement of the nation’s healthcare and governance. In their goodwill messages, Mr Abiodun Olatunji (SAN), and Prof Mojisola Atalabi, lamented dilapidated healthcare delivery and charged the National Assembly to vote for enough funding for the nation’s health sector.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

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