The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy Cardiopulmonary Specialty group (NICAPSG) yesterday ended a 3-day long Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting tagged "Coal City 2016". The conference is the second since the group was inaugurated in 2014. The madien edition of the conference was held last year in Ile- Ife, Osun state.

 

This year's conference with the theme " Physiotherapy in the Intensive Care Unit: Advanced Critical Care Practice" and a sub theme "Exercise Prescription in patients with Cardiovascular Diseases" held from 11th to 14th May 2016 in Enugu State brought together more than 100 delegates from different parts of Nigeria and abroad.

 

The event started with a cocktail party at 'celebrities hall' Enugu where all the delegates familiarised with themselves and exchanged contacts. In his welcome address, the Chairman of NICAPSG, Professor Adedoyin welcomed all the delegates from various parts of the world to Enugu while thanking God for journey mercy He granted all the delegates. The Chairperson of the local organising committee, PT Ezinne Nwosu also welcomed all the delegates to Enugu promising them a happy stay in the coal city.

 

The scientific workshop held on the 12th May 2016 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku Ozalla-Enugu. The facilitators of the workshop include  Dr. Nwosu, a consultant pulmonologist at UNTH who presented on the topic "Spirometry". Dr. Ufoegbunam, a consultant Intensivist in UNTH lectured on "Oxygen Therapy" while Physiotherapist Adekola Akinlabi, a Respiratory Clinical Lead at Whittington NHS trust and a Respiratory Physiotherapist, HDU Lead at Imperial college healthcare, UK presented on the topics "Non Invasive Ventilation" and "Airway Management".

The day's session ended with well packaged practical demonstrations.

 

 

The well decorated 200 capacity conference hall of Bridge waters hotel Enugu the venue of the opening ceremony of the event was filled to the brim by top dignitaries from Enugu, invited guests, delegates as well as students.

 

In his opening speech, the Chairman of NICAPSG, Prof. Rufus Adedoyin, who is the head of Medical Rehabilitation Department, Obafemi Awolowo University Ife and a Consultant Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapist at OAUTHC welcomed all guests to the occasion. Adedoyin thanked all invited guests for making out time to come to the occasion despite their tight schedules. According to him, the venue of this Year conference was chosen based on the leadership roles and success story of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu in the area of open heart surgery and critical care. He maintained that UNTH is one of the leading centres in Nigeria where advanced Physiotherapy critical care is provided.

 

A minute silence was observed in the honour of  Dr. Bridget Birabi, a former NSP president who died recently. 

 

In a key note address, the former Provost of College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus Prof. Basden Jones Onwubere emphasized the crucial roles played by the Physiotherapist in cardiothoraic team as the team member who spends the longest time with the patient. Onwubere, a consultant Cardiologist at UNTH also emphasised the need for team work while encouraging Physiotherapists to go fully into specialisation. He commended NICAPSG for leading the way and encouraged other specialty groups to emulate.

 

The Guest Lecture was delivered by PT G.K Umerah while various scientific papers were presented by renowned Physiotherapists in the field of Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

 

Dignitaries present at the occasion include the Enugu state Hon. Commissioner of health, Dr.Samuel Ngwu, the CMD of UNTH Dr. C.C Amah, the Chairman, Igboeze LGA council of Traditional rulers Igwe Ogbodo, the Head of Physiotherapy Department UNTH, Mrs Chinwe Obiekwe, NSP Vice President, Mrs P.U. Imo, Head of Medical Rehabilitation Department, University of Nigeria, Dr. Ezeukwu Obinna, representatives of UNTH ICU nurses, representatives University of Nigeria Medical Rehabilitation Students' Association among others.

 

The ceremony ended with the annual general meeting of the group and a well organised dinner.

By Uduonu Ekezie (Physiotherapy Correspondent)