A'Ibom Gov't holds workshop on renal medicine for medical practitioners

By Evelyn AFFIA

In a bid to empower medical professionals in the State to effectively tackle the increasing cases of kidney diseases, the Akwa Ibom State government through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Medical) organised a 4-day workshop training and re-training of medical professionals in the state.

The 4-day training programme on "Renal Medicine", kicked started with a cocktail/opening ceremony on Monday, 21st August with about 40 participants drawn across health facilities in the state such as Renal unit, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH); Ministry of Health; Hospitals Management Board, and from various health parastatals.

Interacting with participants at the workshop, the SSA to the Governor (Medical), Dr. Ignatius Akpabio commended the state governor for taking bold steps towards repositioning the health sector of the state for efficient and effective healthcare delivery, adding that so far the state has recorded remarkable achievements in the health sector.

He noted that the rising cases of renal diseases is worrisome and that the state government is leaving no stone unturned in her efforts to see that the disease is effectively tackled, urging the participants to maximize the opportunities that the workshop will provide.

In his remarks, the State Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, and the South-South Zone, Dr Aniekeme Uwah said that the workshop on Renal Medicine was necessary due to the rapid increase of renal diseases that has affected both young and the elderly in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.

He noted that training and re-training of medical professionals is paramount to give more enlightenment and insight through practicals to help fight against this killers disease.

The various Resource Persons in the  likes of Prof. Fatiu Abiola Arogundade, Professor of Medicine /Consultant Nephrologist; and Prof. Badmus Tajudeen, professor of surgery/consultant Urologist/Transplant surgeon from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex Ile Ife, did justice to their topics and also gave more insight  on "The General Overview of Renal Medicine in Akwa Ibom; Demonstrations with Diapact CRRT machine and a Road Map to Renal Transplant".

Among other resource persons, Renal Machine Engineer, Engr. Dabiri; Engr. Kunle and Mrs Josephine Onyekwere, Senior Renal and Transparent Nurse.

The high point of the event was the  practical session in a view of giving the participating Renal surgeon/physicians, ICU Nurses and Renal technicians a first hand insight and knowledge of using "end stage kidney disease patient" about the use of Diapact CRRT machine recently acquired by Governor Udom Emmanuel for the use of the critical ill kidney patients in Akwa Ibom State.