The Association of Resident Doctors (A.R.D) of Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) held their maiden annual ARD week between 9th to 12th of November, 2015. The theme of the week was "Cervical Cancer: Preventable, yet Ravaging Nigerian Homes"

 

The week kicked off  on Monday, 9th November with a 'Walk For Cancer' round their host University, Babcock University. Excited female students were gathered from the hostels and given a brief but succint lecture about cervical cancer, its risk factors and the availability of a preventive vaccine. To crown it up, a raffle draw took place in which 5 lucky female students won complete courses of the vaccine. A complete course consist of 3 doses with each dose going for about 18 000 Naira.

The Scientific session held at Siloam Valley of BUTH. Guest Lecturers were foremost obstetricians and gynaecologists, Dr. Edward Jagun and Dr. John Imaralu. A foremost private clinic dedicated to the care of a variety of cancers, Lakeshore Cancer Centre from Ikoyi, Lagos also gave a lecture. They were represented by foremost Radiologist, Dr. Mutiu Jimoh

 

 

Dr. Jagun kicked off with a detailed lecture of 'Screening and Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer'. He demonstrated with clear statistics that countries with institutionalized screening and immunization programs for cervical cancer saved billions of dollars in the long run by preventing the number of women who came down with cervical cancer. 

 

The chairman of the scientific session, Professor Oladapo Walker, a clinical pharmacologist and erudite scholar emphasized the need for doctors to acquire the political skills that will ensure that the right health policies are implemented in our dear country. Dr. John Imaralu gave an impressive overview of the theme topic with background information of the scourge and clinical presentation and management of cervical cancer. Dr. Jimoh in turn wowed the attentive crowd with future trends in the management of cervical cancer with emphasis on the role of the radiotherapist.

 

Also in attendance were the Chief Medical Director of BUTH, The intellectually towering but humble Dr. Franklin Ani, and the director of Clinical Service and Training Dr. John Sotunsa. Dr. Sotunsa, himself an excellent Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, explained to the audience that the scourge of cervical cancer in Nigeria was due to poverty of ideas, decision, and knowledge. He bemoaned the fact that despite the reality that the cost of the average mobile phone of ladies present in the crowd were way costlier than the cost of a pap smear or the preventive vaccine, people did not take it as serious as they should.  

 

The Representative of the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University (Professor J.K. Makinde), Professor Madong also gave a congratulatory message to the BUTH ARD for pulling off such an impressive scientific session. Various drug companies including Pfizer, Grams Pharmaceutical company, Sandoz pharmacy etc lent their voices to the movement. Media houses were also in attendance and promised to play their part in spreading the message.

 

The Host of the event, President of the Association of Resident Doctors of BUTH, Dr. Oluwaseyi Adebola in his opening remarks reeled out statistics drawn from the World Health Organization. He cited that about 530, 000 new cases of Cervical Cancer occur yearly with about 270, 000 deaths. He went on to quote that 85% of these deaths occurred in middle and low income countries such as Nigeria. He encouraged philanthropists and members of the general public to sponsor the administration of the vaccine to young ladies. Dr. Adesola Oyelese, a vibrant consultant Haematologist heeded this call with a promise to sponsor 3 female students in receiving the vaccine.

 

On Wednesday, the 11th of November the association held a medical outreach at the Ilisan Town Hall. Scores of indigenes received free medical screening including general medical care with free drugs, opthalmology and dental services and dozens of women were screened for cervical cancer and examined for breast lumps.

 

It was not all talk and health as the group also found time for a novelty football match with staff of the Babcock High School and a very colourful dinner ceremony at the Babcock Guest House.