The 35th Annual General Meeting and SCientific Conference (AGMSC) of the Endocrine and Metabolism society of Nigeria including the annual PG Workshop was held from te 11th to the 13th of september, 2013 at the lagos oriental hotel, lekki, victoria island, lagos. The theme of the conference was Managing diabetes in the 21st century, while the sub themes were Thyroid disorders and Endocrine Education. Over 200 delegates drawn from different states in the country attended the meeting on the scientific papers conference and the subthemes in different areas of endocrinology, nutrition and metabolism were presented. The guest lecture was given by Dr Z M Jawa, consultant in nuclear medicine and radiology, head of nuclear medicine, department, national hospital, abuja, nigeria. During the AGM, new executive members were elected to steer the affairs of the society for the next two years. In addition, some members were elevated into the enviable position of fellows of the society.

OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

DIABETES MELLITUS:

Diabetes mellitus especially the adult type has become a major health problem in Nigeria. The disease is the cause of severe suffering and premature deaths in both young and old, Often from preventable causes as reported from some centers. Increased morbidity and mortality caused by diabetes are a consequence of lack of access to quality diabetes care, increasing number of persons living with diabetes, lack of early diagnosis, suboptimum treatment for those diagnosed. Shared or joint diabetes care is lacking between primary,  secondary and tertiary health care providers except for one or two states. Many of the evolving treatment modalities are yet to be evaluated in nigeria while some of the new effective medications cannot be afforded by the average nigerian with diabetes.

THYROID DISEASES:

Treatment of thyroid diseases, a major cause of endocrine problem is unsatifactory. There are no treatment guidelines and protocols for the management of thyroid disorders. Diagnostic and treatment facilities are very inadequate in many places.

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS:

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the bodys endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, nervous and body defence effects in both human beings and animals. Many substances can cause endocrine disruption including pharmaceuticals, dioxin and dioxin like compounds, polychlorinated biphenys, DDT and other pesticides and plasticizers such as bisphenol A. Endocrine disruptors can be found in products like plastic bottles, metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics and pesticides.

This group of substances appears to be abundant in our environment. Not enough studies are being conducted on the effect of these chemicals on endocrine health in the country.

NATIONAL ENDORINE SERVICES AND TRAINING OF ENDOCRINOLOGISTS

In nigeria, there is dearth of accredited training centers for endocrine manpower development and reliable public reference laboratories a sine qua non for effective endocrine service delivery.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

It was unanimoously agreed tthat more work needs to be done in the area of public enlightlenment on the need to increase physical activities including walking and exercises. Healthy lifestyle also includes avoidance of both first hand and second hand smoking and limitation of ingetion of alcohol. Health food choices should be the practise from childhood.

EARLY DIAGONSIS: 

Facilities and opportunities should be provided for the public for thyroid and diabetes screening to be available at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care.

TRAINING: More training centers for endocrinologists should be established in parts of the country. The society in collaboration with the postgraduate medical college should design curricula for teaching endocrinology at the undergraduate and post graduate levels in the country.

REGIONAL LABORATORIES:

Government in conjuction with the organized private sector should establish zonal laboratories with adequate facilities to conduct endocrine tests in the various zones inthe country.

INCREASED FUNDING:

Stakeholders and governments at all levels should increase funding for endocrine care facilities and training institutions

TARIFFS ON ENDOCRINE MEDICATIONS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

Government should reduce the tariffs on antidiabetic and other endocrine drugs as weell as on materials needed for diagnosting and monitoring treatment of endocrine disorders and diabetes.

INCLUSION OF DIABETES IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE SCHEME

Part of the reasons for the high morbidity and mortality is the high cost of out-of-pocket expenses being borne by those living with endocrine diseases like diabetes which are not included in the NHIS. To improve access to quality endocrine care medicalworldnigeria.com, endocrine disorders including diabetes should be included in the NHIS

MORE STUDIES ON ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS

In view of thier potential very serious effects on health of the populace, there is urgent need to conduct more studies on the presence, types, and the health effects of the endocrine disruptors in the nigerian environment.

ELECTION OF NEW EXECUTIVES

New officers were elected into the national executive committee of the society. They will steer the affaris of the socitey for the next two years.

NEXT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND SCEINTIFIC CONFERENCE

The next Annual general meeting and scientific conference will hold in benin in september 2014 and would include the following:

- ELECTION INTO THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE SOCIETY

- 36th AGMSC

APPRECIATION:

We express our profound gratitude to the lagos state government, our various partners and Dr. Yewande Adeshina the special adviser to the lagos state governor on publich health, who chaired the opening ceremony of the conference.

CHAIRMAN COC

Dr.Olufemi Fasanamde FNSEM