Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the Nigerian government’s commitment to improving the accessibility and quality of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) healthcare across the country.
Shettima stressed the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades in the sector, particularly as cases of hearing loss and a lack of specialized medical personnel continue to rise.
Speaking Thursday evening during a meeting with a delegation from the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON), led by President Aliyu Mohammed Kodiya, Shettima highlighted the importance of addressing these challenges to improve the nation’s ENT care system.
“We are facing a significant healthcare gap, particularly in the ENT sector,” Shettima said at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. “We must act swiftly to address the inadequate infrastructure, the shortage of specialized equipment, and the alarming brain drain in the medical field.”
The Vice President pointed to the mounting cases of hearing loss, a largely underserved issue in Nigeria, with many individuals reluctant to seek treatment due to stigma surrounding hearing ailments.
He acknowledged the pressing need for comprehensive interventions that go beyond short-term solutions.
“Many Nigerians suffer from hearing loss, but they often avoid seeking help due to social stigmas,” Shettima explained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha. “The government is committed to ensuring that we not only address these issues but also create long-term, sustainable solutions.”
Shettima also emphasized the critical shortage of ENT specialists in Nigeria, citing estimates that the country may have fewer than 500 ENT surgeons.
He noted that the migration of young medical professionals to countries like those in Europe has exacerbated the shortage.
“Without immediate action, the number of ENT specialists will remain far below what is required to meet the needs of our population,” he said. “The government is working hard to create an environment that encourages the retention of our healthcare professionals.”
The Vice President also made it clear that the government’s support would extend beyond just procuring medical equipment. “It’s not enough to buy medical devices; we must also invest in the training and well-being of our healthcare workers,” he added.
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He urged ORLSON to keep pushing for the training of new specialists and ensuring that they are supported throughout their careers.
In recognition of Shettima’s ongoing support for the ENT sector, ORLSON conferred upon him the honorary title of ‘Ambassador of the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria.’
Earlier, Kodiya raised concerns about the global and national impact of hearing loss, highlighting that, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide will experience some form of hearing loss by 2050.
This includes over 700 million individuals who will require rehabilitation.
“The financial toll of hearing loss is immense, with over $1 trillion in global costs annually,” Kodiya said. “We are facing a public health crisis that demands urgent attention.”
Kodiya also noted that Nigeria’s National Policy and Strategic Plan for Ear and Hearing Care, which was launched in 2019, expired in 2023 without full implementation.
He called it a missed opportunity for the country to develop a sustainable framework for hearing health.
Despite this setback, he reassured the government that ORLSON was ready to collaborate with both the public and private sectors, as well as international organizations, to alleviate the burden of hearing loss and improve ENT services.
As the need for more comprehensive ENT care grows, the meeting underscored the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s healthcare deficiencies to better serve its population and improve public health outcomes in the ENT sector.