The league of obstetric anaesthetists of Nigeria (LOAN) had its 5th annual general and scientific meeting at the main auditorium of the University of Portharcourt teaching hospital on the 3rd and 4th  of September 2015.

 

The theme was entitled “ THE ROLE OF RESEARCH IN ADVANCEMENT OF OBSTETRIC ANAESTHESIA” with a sub theme “RARE COMPLICATIONS IN OBSTETRIC ANAESTHESIA”. The forum provided a platform for anaesthetists, obstetricians, physicians, residents , medical and nursing students to interface to appreciate the essence of research in the advancement of obstetric anaesthesia.

 

The opening ceremony was declared opened by the Chairman and chief medical director of Meridian hospital Port Harcourt Dr Ikechukwu Odo who in his speech acknowledged the value of anaesthetists in medical practice. The guest lecturer was the former provost of the college of health sciences Prof J.O.Odia whose lecture emphasized the ethical challenges in obstetric anaesthesia. The evolution of legal challenges to the practice of obstetric anaesthesia in Nigeria is a reminder for the strict adherence to specific practice guidelines

 

 

The National President of LOAN and chairman local organizing committee Dr Fyneface-Ogan Sotonye in his welcome address was delighted to welcome all the delegates and the committed members who worked tirelessly to grow the progress of the association. He opined that much work needed to be done to improve the management of high risked parturients.

 

Leading obstetric anaesthetist from the USA,  Prof Yemi Olufolabi of Duke University delivered an exciting lecture entitled “ POST MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS ERA: WHAT IS NEXT FOR OBSTETRIC ANAESTHESIA” . He echoed the sentiments of world leaders at the just concluded 70th anniversary of the UN on the need to advance the course of improving the gains of the millennium development goals and the role research provides in achieving these objectives.The value of data collection which was observed to be in abundance in Nigeria was reiterated and emphasized as the driver for achieving progress in medical research. Prof Olufolabi rounded up his erudite lecture with another lecture entitled “ OBSTETRIC HAEMORRHAGE PROTOCOLS: CURRENT SYSTEM CHANGES ADDRESSING A PERSISTENT PROBLEM”.

 

The following abstracts were presented on the first day (1) A survey of post caesarean section pin by Edomwonyi et al, (2) A comparative study of blood loss during caesarean myomectomy and caesarean section in a cottage hospital in Niger delta, Nigeria by Johnson UU, Obasuyi BI and drug presentations.

 

The last day featured the following paper presentations: (1) Current management of preeclampsia/ eclampsia (2) Challenges to epidural analgesia services in National Hospital Abuja by Elumelu et al, (2) Comparison of haemodynamic effects of intravenous boluses of 5 and 10 units of oxytocin during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia by Yusuf MM et al (3) Uterine rupture in Jehovah witness by Ilo IS, Erondu CN (3) Single shot spinal anaesthesia for emergency caesarean section in an achondroplastic by Otokwala JG, Fyneface-Ogan S, Oputa V, (4) Anaesthesia for Emergency caesarean section in a post-polio parturient by Otokwala JG, Fyneface-Ogan S, Ibe V and (5) Pattern of admission of obstetric patients into the intensive care unit of the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital by Alagbe-Briggs OT, Obasuyi BI .

 

The annual general meeting reiterated the need to collaborate with the paediatric association of Nigeria and the society of Obstetrics and gynaecology to further the cause of maternal and child care in the country.

 

The hosting of the 2016 LOAN annual general and scientific meeting would be held in Benin, Edo state and the conference was declared closed by the provost of the college of health sciences Prof CN Mato.