Neurological Diseases Outpace Cancers and Viral Epidemics in Global Mortality Rates
A professor of Neurosurgery at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Chika Ndubuisi, disclosed on Thursday that spine and brain diseases are causing more deaths than cancers, Human Immune Virus (HIV), Ebola, and COVID among others.
Delivering the 41st Inaugural Lecture of the University at a capacity-filled auditorium at ESUT College of Medicine, Park Lane, Enugu, Prof. Ndubuisi noted that over 6.8 million patients died of neurological diseases globally in 2009. He emphasized that early presentation of patients for medical investigation remains crucial for effective management and treatment of neurological cases.
Prof. Ndubuisi, whose lecture topic was titled “Preventing the Paralysis Paradox in Our Nervous and Medical System: Identifying Problems, Igniting Progress,” identified untreated brain tumors as a leading cause of paralysis, blindness, convulsions, headaches, personality changes, and coma in children and adults.
The Professor further stated that spinal cord, head injuries, and strokes occur frequently in the body system, resulting in loss of lives and imposing a significant economic burden on society. “The financial burden imposed on families with cases of spinal cord injuries is estimated at $12,000 in our sub-region,” he said.
Advocacy for Improved Neurosurgical Infrastructure
Prof. Ndubuisi bemoaned the lack of serious national efforts to initiate interventions in terms of advocacy, research funding, and prioritization of life-threatening neurological diseases during budget allocation. He stressed that Neurosurgery would develop faster if accorded full departmental status in universities and hospitals across Nigeria.
“We have experienced that the practice of Neurosurgery could be jeopardized by the absence of state-of-the-art equipment, including advanced critical care facilities. This limitation affects the pattern and number of surgeries a center can perform,” he added.
He concluded that properly guided and regulated improvisation, collaboration, and funding for clinical research would help Nigeria address its current equipment deficit, improve surgery load capacity, and enhance the quality of neurological services.
In his remarks, the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah, represented by the Enugu State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani, stated that the state government is making significant investments in healthcare within the state.
Governor Mbah highlighted the commencement of Type 3 hospital construction in all 260 electoral wards in Enugu State, alongside ongoing work on an international hospital. He described the lecture’s topic as apt and urged the audience to prioritize neurological investigations to avoid complications.
He also lauded the Management of ESUT, led by Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, for fostering research and innovation in the University.
In a media chat, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Okolie, explained that frequent inaugural lectures aim to showcase research findings from scholars within the institution for collaboration and commercialization with industry players. He praised Prof. Ndubuisi for demystifying myths surrounding neurological cases and emphasizing the importance of regular medical investigations.
The Chairman of the ESUT Inaugural Lectures Committee, Prof. Milletus Ezeamaenyi, commended the University Management for enhancing ESUT’s visibility through the organization of such lectures and promoting research and innovation.
“The alarming mortality rates from neurological diseases underscore the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and public awareness. With dedicated efforts from institutions like ESUT and support from governments, we can transform the narrative around these conditions.”
