Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing access to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) healthcare services nationwide.
He emphasized the urgent need to upgrade Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in the ENT sector, to address the increasing prevalence of hearing loss and the shortage of specialized medical personnel.
The Vice President made these remarks on Thursday evening while receiving a delegation from the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON), led by its President, Aliyu Mohammed Kodiya, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Shettima assured the delegation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is resolute in addressing the sector’s critical challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient equipment, and the ongoing medical brain drain.
“A huge chunk of our population suffers from hearing ailments, but due to social stigmatisation, many are reluctant to come forward for treatment. The challenges you are highlighting are real, and the government is committed to going beyond cosmetic interventions,” he said in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, on Friday.
Senator Shettima acknowledged the critical shortage of ENT specialists nationwide, saying there may not be up to 500 ENT surgeons in this country if immediate action is not taken.
“That is the reality we face today. Even our young doctors are migrating to Europe and other regions, but we are working to create an enabling environment for them here.”
He emphasised that government support would not only focus on acquiring equipment but would also prioritise the training, welfare, and retention of medical professionals in the field.
“The problem goes beyond equipment. Procuring medical devices without the manpower to operate them would amount to nothing,” VP Shettima added, urging ORLSON to continue investing in the training of new specialists.
In recognition of his support for the sector, the Vice President was conferred with the honourary title of ‘Ambassador of the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria’ by Kodiya.
Earlier, ORLSON’s president drew attention to the alarming global and national statistics on hearing loss, describing it as a growing public health crisis.
He cited data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicating that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people globally will experience some degree of hearing loss, with over 700 million requiring rehabilitation.
“This condition imposes an estimated global financial burden of over $1 trillion annually due to lost productivity, healthcare costs, and social exclusion,” he said.
Kodiya highlighted that Nigeria’s National Policy and Strategic Plan for Ear and Hearing Care, introduced in 2019, lapsed in 2023 without achieving full implementation, describing it as a lost opportunity to establish a sustainable framework for hearing health.
Despite this, he reaffirmed ORLSON’s commitment to collaborating with the government, private sector, and international organizations to alleviate the burden of hearing loss and enhance access to quality ENT services nationwide.