Nordica Fibroid Care Centre is set to unveil the first High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) machine for treatment of uterine fibroids in its facility in the nation’s capital.
HIFU uses real-time ultrasound and high-intensity ultrasound waves to generate localised heat to specifically target individual fibroids to destroy the cells.
Nordica, a fertility and fibroid care centre, first introduced the HIFU treatment method in Lagos in 2021.
Speaking during a media chat at the Nordica Fibroid Care Centre in Abuja, the managing director of Nordica, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, said HIFU is a method of symptom relief without surgery.
He said the method has recorded tremendous success since it was introduced in Lagos in 2021, hence the need to introduce it in Abuja, while disclosing that HIFU treatment for uterine fibroids will commence in the facility in Abuja on July 1.
He said “In Lagos, we have done 475 patients and that’s why we can say with confidence that yes, we can bring it to Abuja too so that the good people of Abuja can take advantage of the HIFU treatment.”
According to research, over 70 per cent of women below 50 years are at risk of developing fibroid, a non-cancerous growth in the uterus that can develop during a woman’s childbearing age, and it can cause significant health problems.
Dr. Abayomi said what makes HIFU safe for the treatment of uterine fibroids is that the machine converges at a particular distance and it burns whatever that is in that radius.
He said “We all know how common fibroid is in our environment. We’ve had a lot of problems from the treatment of fibroid.
“We have been able to introduce a method of symptom relief without surgery and that is what HIFU does.”
The fertility expert, however explained that fibroid treatment or surgery is not remedy for infertility, saying it is basically for symptom relief and not for fertility.
“We’ve thought wrongly that fibroid and infertility are the same. Some women think if I takeaway my fibroid, i will get pregnant. But that is far from the truth because sometimes, it’s the male factor that is wrong. sometimes the tubes are blocked so taking away your fibroid will not make all that come back.”
Earlier, HIFU specialist at Nordica Centre, Abuja, Dr Bakut John Maiganga, said with this technology, treatment can be carried out within two hours and the re overing time for patients is quick unlike other treatment methods.
Sharing their testimonies, some of the patients who have successfully undergone HIFU treatment at Nordica’s Lagos facility, described the method as a lifesaver.
One of them, Ms. MaryAnne, said she suffered painful menstruation for severely years and it got to a point that she was ready to do anything get relief from the pain.
“I was having very painful menstrual period. When I went to the hospital, I was told that I had andiomiossi together with the fibroid. I was told that the andiomiossi cannot be operated but managed with pills. Even with the pill, the pain was still severe.
“I got to know about HIFU through a doctor friend. I went for the treatment, and since then till today, I don’t experience pain during my period.
Also, Ms Comfort Okpenge, said she became depressed due to menstrual pain and heavy flow. She said she even contemplated suicide. But after undergoing HIFU treatment, Ms Okpenge said she is a happier person as she no longer experience pain during her menstrual period.