ATBUTH Performs First Laser Surgery on Kidney Stone Patient

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi said it has performed its first laser surgery to remove kidney stones.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Teaching Hospital, Dr. Jibrin Bara, disclosed this yesterday, in Bauchi.

Bara who explained that laser surgery was a type of surgery that uses special light beams instead of instruments for surgical procedures explained: “This is a major breakthrough to the Teaching Hospital and first in this part of the country to have a laser treatment of kidney stones.”

According to him, “The hospital now had a full upper tract endoscopic and laser facility that residents and others could access without going abroad,” he said.
According to him, residents would enjoy subsidies considering the high cost of accessing the treatment in hospitals outside the region or Nigeria.  
He said the success of the innovation in the teaching hospital would translate to access to more affordable healthcare and faster recovery for patients.
On his part, Dr. Evaristus Azobah, Urologist consultant, explained that  the presence of kidney stones in the human body could cause immense pain and discomfort.

“It becomes essential to get rid of the stones so that the normal activities of life continue uninterrupted.
“The laser lithotripsy treatment would save patients the pain of opening up their upper urinary tract during surgery,” he said.
He added that lithotripsy was a treatment using ultrasound shock waves to break kidney stones into smaller particles that the body can pass out.
The Consultant commended the ATBUTH Chief Medical Director for the introduction of laser surgery treatment in the hospital, saying this goes a long way in saving the cost of patients.

Also Speaking, Dr. Makama Baje, Head of Department Surgery of the ATBUTH lauded the consultant Urologist for performing the first laser surgery and mentoring other staff in the hospital.