The Federal Government has inaugurated Nigeria’s first non-surgical spinal decompression center in Abuja, marking a significant step toward expanding advanced healthcare services in the country.

The center was officially unveiled on Saturday by the Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, who the Director of Hospital Services represented at the ministry, Salaudeen Jimoh. Jimoh emphasized that the facility aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Health, which aims to enhance healthcare accessibility for Nigerians.

“This initiative comes at the right time. It reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services, and we appreciate the management for making this a reality,” he stated.

The Clinical Director and co-founder of the Spine and Nerve Centre, Dr. Craig Slapinski, highlighted the growing demand for the center’s services, stressing the need for expansion.

“The biggest challenge we face is handling the volume of patients seeking treatment. We are working on expanding staff and equipment while bringing in more specialists to meet the demand in Abuja,” Slapinski explained.

He also acknowledged the government’s support in streamlining licensing and regulatory approvals, enabling a smooth launch of operations.

The center offers non-surgical alternatives for patients suffering from chronic pain, reducing reliance on surgery and long-term medication use. Before its establishment, many Nigerians were traveling to Ghana for similar treatments.

“With an office in Accra, I noticed a high number of Nigerians seeking treatment there. That’s why Abuja was the logical choice for expansion, and we plan to open more locations in the next two years,” Slapinski revealed.

The initiative represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, providing innovative pain management solutions while reinforcing government efforts to improve medical services nationwide.