The Acting President of the Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria, Prof Andrew Uloko, has emphasised the need to deploy technology and modern innovations to expand access to quality healthcare for the approximately 11 million Nigerians suffering from diabetes.
Prof Uloko also disclosed that the country currently has fewer than 200 endocrinologists to attend to the growing number of patients with diabetes, thyroid issues, obesity, cholesterol disorders, and other endocrine diseases.
Uloko made this statement on Wednesday while speaking to journalists during the opening ceremony of a three-day conference of endocrinologists, held at Conference Hotels, Abeokuta.
The 45th General Meeting and Scientific Conference, themed “Diabetes and Technology”, was held in Abeokuta in 2024.
He said, “The theme of the conference is informed by the fact that technology is gaining significant traction. We talk about artificial intelligence, robotics, and the use of machine aids in all our spheres of endeavour.
“This is particularly profound in the health sector, so as health experts who deal with endocrine diseases, a major part of non-communicable diseases, we felt we should use these three days to explore how we can deploy these new technologies to enhance the quality of care for our people.”
Uloko expressed hope that by the end of the conference, awareness of readily available technologies that could help care for diabetes and related illnesses would be raised.
Additionally, strong recommendations would be made for policymakers in the country to adopt for the improvement of healthcare delivery.
He further explained that the country currently has fewer than 200 endocrinologists, many of whom are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
However, Uloko noted that with the use of technology, the challenge of inadequate healthcare professionals—exacerbated by the ‘Japa syndrome’, a term used to describe the migration of professionals in search of better prospects—could be significantly addressed.
He said, “For health experts like endocrinologists, who are very scarce globally and even more so in our country, the numbers are critically low. In our society, we have about 200 or fewer endocrinologists to serve the entire population of Nigeria, and a substantial number of them are still leaving the country. This is a serious concern.
“However, with technology, it is now possible for a patient to transmit data to their doctor in the UK, America, Australia, or anywhere else in the world. Within minutes, the doctor can review the patient’s data, interact with them, and advise on the next steps to improve their health.”
Speaking at the programme, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, stated that the use of technology is undoubtedly the way forward in improving quality healthcare delivery in the country.
Dr Coker expressed the hope that by the end of the conference, having considered global trends, endocrinologists would recommend technologies that Nigeria could adapt to suit its unique needs, given that over 80 million Nigerians are battling multidimensional poverty.
The Commissioner noted that the theme of the conference was timely, as it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s government’s desire to digitise healthcare services and reduce the burden of healthcare delivery.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Olubiyi Adesina, mentioned that around 200 delegates, including endocrinologists, anatomists, pathologists, family physicians, and nutritionists, were expected to attend the conference.