Universal Healthcare Coverage and Medical Tourism: Challenges and Best Practice Options to Access Quality Healthcare and Reduce Outward Medical Tourism in Nigeria

Background: Universal healthcare coverage (UHC) leads to access to quality healthcare. Improved quality healthcare can stem outward medicaltourism (MT). This review examined challenges and best practice policy options to implement UHC and how it can reduce outward MT inNigeria. Methodology: The designed search terms used were “universal health coverage,” “quality healthcare” “medical tourism,” “access to healthcare,” “primary health care,” “healthcare financing,” “private health insurance,” “social health insurance,” and “Nigeria healthcare system.” Peer‑reviewed research articles and institutional reports published between January 2000 and March 2020 were searched using four databases: PubMed, National Library of Medicine, Web of Science, and Library of Congress. EndNote X9 software and Google search engine were used to access these databases and documents, and 124 publications were retrieved and 106 were reviewed. Results: Majority of publications reviewed emphasized building health infrastructure, developing skills and human resources for health, and funding for equipment and drugs. Expanding healthcare coverage through social health insurance, developing a financial system to protect the  poor, access to quality healthcare, and reinvigoration of primary healthcare (PHC) were common themes. About 50% of the studies identified  unavailability of quality healthcare services, inequalities in the supply side of healthcare services, issue of human resources, and health sector  implementation shortfall as challenges to UHC. Another 50% of the studies reviewed identified poverty and poorly funded PHC as a barrier to UHC.  Almost all the studies (100%) identified cost‑effectiveness, safety, and quality of healthcare services as drivers of MT in all countries. Conclusion:  Improving the quality of healthcare delivery, increasing accessibility, affordability, and timeliness of access by the population through UHC can stem  MT. Keywords: Financing, medical tourism, Nigeria, quality, SHI, universal healthcare coverag

Assessement of Modalities for Treatment of Otorrhoea in Active Phase of Simple Chronic suppurative otitis media in Jos University Teaching Hospital

Objective: To compare the efficacy of various modalities of treatment of Otorrhoea in simple chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) at the ENT unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital. Method: Patients with uncomplicated CSOM were randomly assigned to 4 groups for treatment. A: Aural toilet alone. B: Aural toilet and mild antiseptic. C: Microscopy, culture and sensitivity determined antibiotic treatment. D: Broad spectrums antibiotic and antimicrobial cover. Patients had their ears evaluated for dryness after 7 days and at 28 days of treatment. Results: After 7 days of treatment, the ears were dry in A (50.8%); B (55.4%); C (44.6%) and D (46.2%). After 28 days, the dry ears that continued to remain dry were, A (48.5%), B (75%), C (82.8%) and D (90%). Conclusion: Use of antibiotic and antimicrobials has been superior to aural toilet alone. Inclusion of a mild antiseptic with aural toilet improved the outcome of achieving a dry ear. Key words: Otorrhoea, Active Phase, CSOM, Treatment. Nigerian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Vol.2(1) 2005: 22-2

Pattern of clinical features of chronic simple rhino-sinusitus in Port Harcourt

Objective: To evaluate the symptoms, signs and types of chronic simple rhino-sinusitis. Patients and Methods: This is prospective work done over a 2-year period. All the patients had symptoms of more than 8 weeks duration. Only patients with symptoms indicative of chronic rhino-sinusitis were included in the study. All the patients had plain x-rays of the paranasal sinuses done and a radiologist reported such. Results: One hundred and fifteen patients were studied. The male to female ratio was 1:1.4 age range 15 years to 70 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 32.03 months. Rhinorrhoea 100%, stuffy nose 97.4%, sneezing 67.6%, anosmia 54.8% and headache 54.8% were the common symptoms while engorged inferior turbinates 79.1%, anterior nasal discharge 63.5% and postnasal discharge 39.1% were the common findings on examination. The clinical diagnosis was chronic infective sinusitis 72.7%, vasomotor rhinitis 17.4% and allergic rhinitis 10.4%. Engorged turbinate was the commonest radiological comment. Conclusion: Chronic infective rhino-sinusitis is the commonest type of chronic rhino-sinusitis seen in this study. . Keywords: Clinical features chronic rhino-sinusitis Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 9 (2) 2006: pp.142-14

Repair of Post-traumatic Deformity of soft Tissue framework of External nose at the Ear, Nose and Throat unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos

Mutilating injuries of the nose with loss of tissue may occur in the domestic setting. In this report, 6 consecutive cases of loss of nasal tissue were seen and repaired using the midline forehead flap. The Otolaryngologist did this in the Ear, Nose and Throat unit. The loss of tissue was always in the course of a fight. There was no wound break down. There was no stenosis of the nares or keloid formation after more than two years of follow-up. All the patients found the repairs satisfactory. Key Words: Nose, loss of tissue, midline forehead flap Nig. J. Otorhinolaryngology Vol.1(1) 2004: 15-1

Plain radiological profile of paranasal sinuses in chronic nasal diseases in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol 15 (3) July-September: 305-30

Abscess of the deep cervical fascial space in adults: A report of 3 cases and review of anatomy

No Abstracts. Nigerian Medical Journal Vol.6(2) 2007: pp.183-18

Fast-growing pre-auricular pilomatrixoma simulating a lymph node enlargement: a case report

Background: Pilomatrixoma is a relatively uncommon tumour of the skin appendages. It is usually a slow growing tumour. It presents as a firm, solitary and asymptomatic swelling of the dermal and subcutaneous tissues. It occurs more often in children, females and whites. The lesion has a predilection for the head and neck and upper extremities.Study design: Case report and review of the literature. Case Report: This case report is in a 58-year-old white male working in Nigeria, a black African country. The swelling showed a fast growth rate. Conclusion: The differential diagnosis of a solitary, firm, mobile and non-tender swelling in the head and neck should include pilomatrixoma. Keywords: pilomatrixoma, pilomatricoma, tumour, skin Nigerian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Vol. 3(1) 2006: 26-2

Foreign body ingestion in a neonate

Background: Foreign body ingestion is a very common event in the paediatric age group. There are however very few reports of foreign body ingestion in neonates. Aim: To report a case of ingestion of foreign body in a neonate. Case report: A neonate with thumb tack ingestion presented with respiratory distress. She had an emergency tracheostomy and subsequent extraction of the foreign body. She was extubated after four days and was discharged on the eighth day in good clinical condition. Conclusion: Foreign body ingestion in the neonate although very uncommon is possible. Paediatricians should therefore remember that an oesophageal foreign body may be a possible cause of respiratory distress in a neonate. Keywords: Neonate, Foreign body, IngestionPort Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp.271-27

Cancer of the larynx in black Africans in Jos, Nigeria

No Abstract. Central African Journal of Medicine Vol. 45 (2) 1999: pp. 40-4