Non-surgical procedure against fibroids gains momentum in Abuja

A non-surgical treatment option for uterine fibroids known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is gaining traction in Abuja as doctors intensify awareness about its safety and effectiveness for women, especially those of reproductive age. The Fibroid Care Centre of the Nordica Fertility Centre, Abuja at a virtual press briefing to mark its one year anniversary […]

A non-surgical treatment option for uterine fibroids known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is gaining traction in Abuja as doctors intensify awareness about its safety and effectiveness for women, especially those of reproductive age.

The Fibroid Care Centre of the Nordica Fertility Centre, Abuja at a virtual press briefing to mark its one year anniversary of HIFU treatment at the Centre, said it has successfully treated over 100 women for uterine fibroids using HIFU in the nation’s capital.

Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, who disclosed this during the briefing, described HIFU as a form of treatment that converts waves of ultrasound energy to heat to burn off fibroids.

“We have treated 100 patients in Abuja using HIFU, all successful treatments. We started in July 2024 and as of now; we have treated 101 patients in total. We felt it was worth sharing our experience, because in Lagos, we have treated over 670 patients.

“HIFU is here in Abuja, it’s working, and it will continue to work. Too many women still die from fibroid surgeries that could have been avoided. This treatment gives hope to women who want to preserve their fertility and avoid surgical complications,” he said.

Dr Ajayi explained that the treatment uses focused ultrasound waves to shrink fibroid tissue without cutting through the skin, allowing patients to resume normal activities within a short time.

“HIFU does not affect fertility. Our tests on patients before and after treatment confirm that ovarian function remains intact,” he said.

On research and collaboration, the medical expert said Nigeria’s HIFU practitioners are part of a global network of about 40 countries, sharing clinical data and innovations.

Addressing concerns about cost, Dr Ajayi acknowledged economic constraints but called for expanded health insurance coverage and government’s partnerships with the private sector to make the treatment more accessible.

He appealed to the media to help raise public awareness, stressing that many women still lose their lives to fibroid-related complications due to ignorance of available alternatives.