Succour has again smiled on Nigerians needing advanced medical care with the establishment of another multi speciality medical centre designed to end medical tourism and broaden access to advanced medical diagnosis in Lagos.
The Chief Executive Officer of Diamed Healthcare Centre, Dr Abiola Olorode, said the newly established healthcare facility represents a significant step forward in Nigerian healthcare.
The new facility strategically located in the heart of Lekki area of Lagos boasts of state-of-the-art equipment, including the first-ever 3D mammogram machine in Nigeria.
The centre is also a one-stop shop for Nigerians seeking high-quality and evidence-based medical care.
Olorode, a passionate medical professional who returned to Nigeria after many years abroad, said her desire to open the medical facility was driven by the desire to improve diagnostics care in Nigeria.
Highlighting the challenges she witnessed in the Nigerian healthcare system, particularly the lack of access to advanced diagnostic tools, she said: “This often led to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. The Diamond Centre addresses this by offering state-of-the-art equipment, including the first-ever 3D mammogram machine in Nigeria, allowing for earlier detection of breast cancer.”
According to her, a lack of advanced medical tools and over-reliance on symptom-based treatments are key drivers of medical tourism.
“This unfortunately reduces doctors to just symptom-based treatments, which can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary medications.
She said that if Nigeria must reduce medical tourism, the healthcare providers must adopt evidence-based tools.
Olorode said she has spent her career witnessing the challenges of limited diagnostic tools and a reliance on symptom-based treatments in Nigeria.
“This approach can lead to misdiagnosis, unnecessary medications, and drug resistance and Diamed’s vision is to provide Nigerians with high-quality, evidence-based medical care in a comfortable and accessible environment.
“I have been on this journey for about 10 years with the feasibility study, the planning and the construction. So, the major reason this came to me is that I trained in the UK and the US, the type of healthcare you get abroad should be available to Nigerians.
“That’s one of the things that made me think of it because if you look at this, you can get all the state-of-the-art technology to do evidence-based management of patients.
“Diamed Centre will offer state-of-the-art equipment and this allows for a wider range of tests, leading to more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment outcomes.
“Also, it is focused on preventive care. Diamed encourages annual checkups and early detection of health issues and we are huge in
The facility billed for an official launch next week is built basically to improve health outcomes of healthcare services in Nigeria.
The CEO, who briefed journalists shortly after a media tour of the facility, said the facility represents a turning point for the country.
With modern architecture and cutting-edge medical technology, she said the centre promises to set a new benchmark in healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
“Diamed Centre stands for our steadfast dedication to each and every Lagosian’s health and well-being. This facility aims to ensure that our people have access to the greatest care available without requiring them to travel overseas, in addition to providing treatment. With its wide range of offerings and focus on patient-centered care, Diamed Centre hopes to lessen the strain on the city’s current healthcare facilities, which have struggled to keep up with the rising demand for specialist medical services,” she added.
She said more than diagnostics, the centre will also be focusing on preventive care and wellness.
“The centre goes beyond just diagnosing ailments. We understand the importance of prevention and offer comprehensive wellness checkups, especially for people over 35 or 40. Additionally, the centre boasts a team of skilled healthcare professionals, including in-house doctors, consultants, and specialists,” she added.
Olarande, who acknowledged the financial realities in Nigeria, added that while the Diamed Centre offers top-tier services, they recognise the need for patient-centered care and affordability.
“The centre has plans for a corporate social responsibility programme to reach out to underserved communities. We’ll also focus on individual patient needs, tailoring treatment plans, and prioritising a welcoming environment.”
Recalling challenges in opening the centre, she told journalists that the journey to open the centre hasn’t been easy.
From construction hurdles to staff training, Olorode emphasized the importance of getting things right. The extensive training provided to staff ensures accurate diagnoses and a focus on patient comfort.
Calling on Nigerians to ensure they do regular checkup as diseases are cheaper to treat if diagnosed early, she said: “It is far less expensive to treat illnesses early on. Similarly, by visiting the Diamed Centre for routine checkups, you will undoubtedly receive the appropriate investigations and spare yourself a great deal of money.”
Conducting journalists around the facility, Joseph Adeyanju explained that the facility has specialised divisions for neurology, orthopaedics, cardiology, and oncology, which are among other salient features.
He said each department is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by highly skilled medical professionals trained both locally and internationally.
“For instance, we have put in place the first 3D mammography machine, known as the 3Dimensions Mammography System in Nigeria. The new technology will help deliver a higher state of care by providing enhanced images to help detect breast cancer when it is in the earliest, most treatable stages.
“3D Mammography will improve our ability to better detect dangerous cancers, and at the same time reduces the likelihood of further testing for suspicious findings that turn out not to be cancer,” the facility manager at Diamed Centre, he explained.
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