Laraba MUREY
As part of intervention for women suffering from fibroids, doctors has said a new non-surgical treatment, known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, HIFU, is recording positive results with no deaths or major complications since its commencement last year in Abuja.
HIFU is a form of treatment that converts waves of ultrasound energy to heat to burn off fibroids.
Medical experts at the Fibroid Care Centre of Nordica Fertility Centre explained during a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, that the procedure allows women to manage fibroids without undergoing open surgery, blood transfusion, or lengthy hospital admission. Patients are usually discharged within hours of treatment.
Consultant gynaecologist, Dr. Bakut Mai Ganga, said the centre had treated more than 100 women in the Federal Capital Territory using the method and noted that most patients returned to their normal routines within a week. “We have not had any case of blood transfusion or resuscitation. The women are doing well, and many report improved quality of life,” he said.
The founder of the centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, explained that HIFU works by using sound waves to shrink or destroy fibroids without cutting the body. He described it as a safe and effective option for women who want to avoid surgery. “It is non-surgical. There is no cutting, no bleeding, and no blood transfusion. The technology makes it possible for women to go back to their lives quickly,” he said.
Ajayi, however, raised concerns about access, saying cost remains a challenge for many Nigerian women. “We are the cheapest in the world, but we are still subsidising heavily. In other countries, it costs between $5,000 and $8,000. Without government or insurance support, access will remain limited,” he noted.
He said research is ongoing to further improve treatment outcomes and patient safety. “We continue to study how Nigerian women respond to HIFU, because every population is different. That research helps us refine our approach,” he explained.
The fertility expert also advised patients on lifestyle adjustments after treatment. “We tell our patients to avoid strenuous activities for some weeks after HIFU, so that healing can be faster and long-lasting,” Ajayi said.
He further noted that beyond fibroids, HIFU could benefit women with adenomyosis, and in some countries, it is already being explored for cancer treatment. “This is the future of healthcare, and Nigeria must not be left behind,” he added.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb and can cause severe pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility. Experts warn that untreated fibroids may lead to complications such as miscarriage or life-threatening bleeding.
