From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, has concluded plans to commence endoscopic surgeries.
The Chief Medical Director, CMD of the hoapial Dr. Stephen Hwande, who disclosed this to newsmen at the weekend in Makurdi, said that the hospital’s theatre has been fully developed for minimal access surgery also known as endoscopic surgeries.
Dr. Hwande explained that during the Minimal access surgery, a patient is not cut open rather ‘you just go in like a pin and you will carry out extensive surgery which is the same as cutting the patient wide open’.
Said he,”we have already acquired the equipment for the surgery and it is fully installed in our theatre and we have entered into collaboration with the Association of Endoscopic Gynecologic Surgeons. And the first batch of this activity for gynae will be on April 15, 2024 and beyond.
“Based on the manpower also, we have developed our theatre fully equipped for minimal access surgery or endoscopic surgeries. We will also start it in the public sector
“The recruitment of the patients will be from the Teaching Hospital and other hospitals around. It’s also going to train the members of the surgeons, the gynaecologists, and those that have interest from other hospitals will also be trained in this minimal access/endoscopic surgeries.
“So cases like fibroid, ovarian cyst among others would now be done for patients who do not want open surgery, you can now have the minimal access surgery done in the teaching hospital.
“The recruitment process is already on and the work of the media is to ensure that the person in Otukpo, Gboko and elsewhere that wants minimal access and doesn’t want scars get this information. So this is almost like a scarless surgery. Tell those people to come and register with us preparatory for surgery.
“Lastly, this hospital is supposed to be a center of excellence which means by the mission and vision of the hospital, we are supposed to do training, quality healthcare and research.”
