A Professor of Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Prof. Austin Osemwengie Obasohan has said the failure of government in building a National Cardiac Centre and Institute is militating against care of patients with cardiac diseases.
The Professor also disclosed that no fewer than 3000 patients leave Nigeria monthly to India for Cardiac care at a cost of 3m Naira each have continued to drain the nation of fund despite the availability of manpower in Nigeria.
He made the observation at the 162nd inaugural lecture of the institution titled “The Heart: Natures Quintessential Creation. What goes wrong with it? People Die Suddenly! What Remedies.”
Prof Obasohan wondered why Nigeria which pride itself as the giant of Africa was yet to key fully into investment in medical care of cardiac patients revealed that smaller countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast have cardiac centres which have been running since 25 years ago.
Observing that the heart which plays a vital role in the life of a person needs special care, Obasohan stated that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading cause of death worldwide. He added that diseases affecting the heart could either be congenital or caused by environmental factors.
“Family history of Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension, Heart enlargement, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity , high level of stress, tear in Aorta, stroke, cigarette smoking are among causes of death.”
He called on the government to immediately set up a National Cardiac Institute which will be saddled with the responsibility of training staff to care for cardiac patients and practice of cardiology.
“If we must effectively tackle sudden death, then there is the need for us to always carry out autopsy in cases of sudden death, public enlightenment and advocacy in cardiac diseases. Businessmen and rich individuals should invest in healthcare. “Also, there should be total ban on foreign medical trip at government expenses,” he said.
He also stressed the need for training and retraining of specialised personnel, extension of Tertiary Education Trust Fund to cover teaching hospitals which are not only tertiary centres but also tertiary education to postgraduate doctors.
He further called on the need for training of the public in basic Life support measures, regular checkups of patients and review of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to include strategies to combat Non Communicable Disease (NCD).
In his remark, the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, said inaugural lectures should be taken seriously as it is a way of showcasing Nigeria’s scholars to the world and to also provide solutions to problems affecting the nation.
By: Eddy Uwoghiren
National Mirror News
ABUJA: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
PORTHARCOURT: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
LAGOS: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
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