The Nigerian Society for Paediatric Cardiology (NISOPAC) has held its 6th Annual General and Scientific Conference at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Lagos. The event, which took place on Monday, November 10, 2025, brought together experts from across the country to discuss current developments and best practices in paediatric cardiology.
This year’s conference, themed “Overcoming the Challenges of Paediatric Cardiac Care in Nigeria,” featured a sub-theme on “The Challenges of Open-Heart Surgery in Nigeria.” The gathering provided a platform for medical professionals to exchange ideas and propose solutions aimed at improving paediatric cardiac surgery in the country.
In his opening remarks, the President of NISOPAC, Prof. Wilson Sadoh, expressed appreciation to the Local Organising Committee for making the conference a success. He noted that it was the first physical meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic, as previous meetings were held virtually. Prof. Sadoh stated that the society hopes that the recommendations from the conference would help shape policies to tackle the identified challenges in paediatric cardiac care.
Expounding on the theme, he highlighted key challenges faced over the years, including limited access to care and inadequate financing. He commended LASUTH for hosting the conference, noting that the hospital played a significant role in the second wave of cardiac surgeries in Nigeria and continues to offer routine cardiac care. He also emphasized the need to train and retrain professionals in the field, stimulate interest among young doctors, and advocate for the creation of more centres across the country to expand access to care.
The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, who was represented by the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Clinical Services II), Dr. Olayinka Olawoye, declared the conference open. In his remarks, he welcomed delegates to Lagos and described the conference theme as timely, noting that many families still struggle to access quality healthcare for their children due to inadequate infrastructure, limited expertise, and the high cost of treatment.
Prof. Fabamwo added that conferences like this offer hope to patients and provide opportunities for experts to exchange ideas, strengthen capacities, advance research, and address the realities of open-heart surgery in Nigeria. He reiterated LASUTH’s commitment to excellence in cardiac care through dedicated professionals, strong partnerships, and continued support from the Lagos State Government.
The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Chinyere Uzodimma, in her welcome address, highlighted the multifaceted challenges of paediatric cardiac care in Nigeria, ranging from limited diagnostic infrastructure and surgical capacity to financial and workforce constraints. She noted that the conference serves as a platform to identify opportunities, share knowledge, and build partnerships that will shape the future of paediatric cardiology in the country.
Some participants also expressed delight at the remarkable progress made in Nigeria’s cardiac care landscape, especially the establishment of functional centres performing cardiac surgeries over the past six years. They commended the organisers for hosting a well-coordinated and impactful conference.
No comments:
Post a Comment