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50 Neurosurgeons, Grossly Inadequate For Nigeria -Malomo
A Consultant Neurosurgeon, Prof. Adefolarin Malomo, says there are only 50 neurosurgeons in Nigeria, describing the situation as “grossly inadequate’’.
Malomo, who works at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Ibadan.
Our correspondent reports that a neurosurgeon is a medical specialist who treats diseases and conditions affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spine, spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves.
Malomo said that while the number of neurosurgeons have increased in comparison to his early days, when he started as a neurosurgeon, neurosurgical service in Nigeria remained grossly inadequate.
“Neurosurgery in Nigeria actually started with Prof. Latunde Odekun in 1962 after training in the U.S as a neurosurgeon; he was actually the first black neurosurgeon anywhere in the world.
“As of 1992, there were just six neurosurgeons in Anglophone- West Africa, but today we have about 50 neurosurgeons in Nigeria alone.
“That is still very far from some cities in North America which have over 30 neurosurgeons.
“Our small number of neurosurgeons are also not evenly distributed; we have none in the North-Eastern part of the country,” he said.
According to the neurosurgeon, neurosurgery as a field of medicine remains critical, especially in a country where road traffic accidents are increasingly common.
He said that more neurosurgeons are needed to reduce the number of unnecessary deaths and complications caused by unattended neurosurgical cases.
“If you break your brain, you break yourself, your life and your goal; your brain affects the body and the person.
“Road traffic accident are pretty common in a country like ours due to many factors, including technological and economical underdevelopment.
“A lot of accidents occur that lead to brain and spinal cord injuries; when you break your spinal cord, you break your life, everything changes.
“As a result, we need people who are trained in this specialty that can act promptly to prevent unnecessary morbidity and complications,” he said.
Malomo said the dearth of neurosurgical practice in the country was not unconnected with the poof infrastructure and incentives.
He said that the longer period of residency training in neurosurgery had also not encouraged many to go into that specialty.
“The field of neurosurgery is one of the most sophisticated surgical specialties
“All over the world, interest in neurosurgery tends to be on the lower side, mostly because of the duration that it takes, the stress and the pattern of life it dictates.
“You spend six years in medical school and if you want to train as a neurosurgeon you spend another six years, whereas, those that go into other specialty spend lesser years,” he said.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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