Spine Day: an expert wants the government. To reduce taxation on medical equipment

Consulting Neurosurgeon

1 Consultant Neurosurgeon, Brain and Spine Surgery Consortium (LOW ), doctor Biodun Ogungbo called on the government to reduce taxes on medical equipment to improve spine surgeries and treatments.

Press Agency

2 Ogungbo said this in an interview with the news agency of Nigeria in Abuja to commemorate World Spine Day.

According to him, the import of medical equipment and consumables was taxed at airports and seaports by customs, NAFDAC and NDLEA.

3 Ogungbo urged, “The government should address this issue and protect the people by removing these bottlenecks.

4 “The current economic situation in Nigeria is not conducive to patients with spinal problems.

“Equipment and consumables have to be imported at huge costs, which has increased the cost of spine surgery and treatment.

“It is therefore essential that people take care of their spine and prevent neck and back pain, spinal injuries and infections.

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Ogungbo said hospitals, especially private health facilities, are currently being hit by multiple taxes from government agencies.

He said minimally invasive spine surgery and endoscopic spine surgery are improving in the country.

Ogungbo said, “There are many problems with open operations and many complications that can be avoided by using smaller incisions and smaller wounds.

“Endoscopic surgery in particular, in patients who can benefit from it, leads to faster recovery, no blood loss and an earlier return to work.

“The health improvements and specialists now available in Nigeria make it imperative that people are treated here.

“There has been an increase in capacity and ability to deal with spinal issues, to perform safe and effective operations,” he said.

Ogungbo said the costs were significantly cheaper than going overseas, saying “it’s still a huge sum for the average man.”

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He said, however, that focusing on spine care and problem prevention remains the best way for many.

world spine day

NOPE reports that World Spine Day is a health event observed annually on October 16 with the aim of promoting the importance of spine health and educating people to understand the seriousness of spine health. spine.

NewsSourceCredit: NAN