Health
A medical expert has called for the grooming of more specialist clinical physiologists to deal with the rising challenges in clinical diagnosis for effective patients care in Nigeria.
Professor of Physiology and Consultant Endocrinologist, Chibueze Ufearo, made the call during a three-day National Conference of Nigerian Clinical Physiologists in Awka, Anambra, on Thursday.
Declaring the conference open, Ufearo, who chaired the conference, said the event was timely and suggested that efforts to bridge the gap be made quickly.
He said that the theme of the conference, “Advancing Clinical Physiology, Teaching, Innovation and best practices”, will stimulate more interest in specialisation in clinical physiology.
Ufearo, former Head of the Department of Human physiology and Former Dean, Faculty of Basics Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, urged all participants to register and actively participate in all aspects of the conference.
He said that the conference will broaden the knowledge in physiological basis of diseases which will bear on improvements in professional skills and patients’ care.
He commended the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Charles Esimone, and the Association for hosting the inaugural national conference.
Mr Ugochukwu Okeke, National President of the Professional Association of Practicing Clinical Physiologists in Nigeria (PAPCPN), said clinical physiologists play a vital role in diagnosis, treatment and management of various medical conditions.
Okeke said that physiologists evaluate and interpret physiological functions which are instrumental in guiding therapeutic interventions and optimising patients’ care.
He said that in a rapid evolving healthcare landscape, it is crucial for them to stay at the forefront of knowledge and embrace the latest technologies and methodologies.
He said the conference provides an invaluable opportunity to expand the horizon, deepen their understanding and foster collaboration that will shape the future of clinical physiology in Nigeria.
Okeke said the conference had a lineup of exciting keynote speeches, scientific sessions, workshops and poster presentations covering a wide range of topics in clinical physiology.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over six keynotes speakers were invited to take on participants during the conference on various topics.
NAN reports that Prof Arthur Chuemere, of the Department of Human physiology of the University of Port Harcourt, spoke on the latest advancement in clinical physiology.
He said introduction of modern principles in the course will broaden its horizon and throw it wide open to the public for more appreciation of the course.
Prof Ed Nwobodo, who teaches Human physiology at the college of Health Sciences, Nnewi, UNIZIK, spoke on Advancing Clinical Physiology Teaching and practices in Nigeria.
Nwobodo said the wider acceptance of the course in the country will improve medicine to a greater height.
Prof Mohamed Mabrouk Abdel Aziz of the Bayero University, Kano, spoke on challenges of physiologists in clinical applications and relationships between physiological Education and clinician.
Aziz said that physiologists need to take their rightful places in the society and impact more positively in the field of healthcare.
Prof Azubuike Nwankwo of the college of medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, handled emerging technologies in clinical physiology.
Nwankwo noted that innovations in technology in clinical physiology have shown the huge value attached to the course as seen in the Western world, saying the same thing can happen in Nigeria if innovations are embraced.
Miss Ifunanya Njoagwuani, a 300-level student of Human Physiology of the institution, said that physiology is a very interesting course and urged educational authorities to give it more realistic boost.
Njoagwuani said that the course has offered her the opportunity of learning new things about the human body and appreciating the body parts more.
“The only challenge is the lack of accreditation and recognition by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the government as a professional course.
“It is not right because physiology is practically the root of Medicine and in our world today we are needed in almost every aspect of the medical field.
“I wish to appeal to the NUC to hasten the accreditation process so we can officially begin studying both practically and theoretically at hospitals.
“We want to be graduating like others, going for industrial training and taking professional examination that will increase our presence in healthcare,” she said.
Mr Joesph Agu, a 300-level student of the College of Health Sciences, said that physiology and the field of clinical physiology is an interesting field of study.
Agu said he had wanted to study a different course but with the advancement in the course and from lessons learned at the conference, he had to change his mind.
“I hope to go deeper in the field and make a difference, considering my new-found knowledge about physiology as a field of study.
NAN reports that at the conference, persons who have distinguished themselves in humanitarian health services were honoured with awards of excellence.
The awardees are Chief Ezeaku Ejiofor, the founder/presenter of the ‘Igbo love themselves’ radio programme, who pays hospital bills of indigent patients and Chief Ikechukwu Chukwudiebube, represented by Chief Attahiru Okeke. (NAN)
T
October 27, 2023 @ 7:16 GMT|
Tags: Chibueze Ufearo
