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Medical doctor dies after watching Nigeria, Argentina match

Medical doctor dies after watching Nigeria, Argentina match
By Victor Nwachukwu
Doctor
Owerri, June 28, 2018 (NAN) Dr Kennis Ebirim, a family physician with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA), has been confirmed death after watching last Tuesday’s the 2018 football match between Nigeria and Argentina holding in Russia.
Family members, colleagues and neighbours confirmed the death of Ebirim to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his residence in Owerri.
The deceased was reported to had slumped and rushed to hospital after Nigeria was ousted of the world football tournament by Argentina.
Dr Chikere Ebirim, a lecturer in the Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and younger brother to the deceased, expressed shock over the development.
He said: “We were together on Sunday with my dad. He used to have cases of heart attack but he was also on medication.
“This is so shocking because he was sound in health when he left Owerri on Monday morning for Abakaliki where he works.”
Dr Hyacinth Emele, the immediate past Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Imo state branch, also confirmed the incident to NAN, describing it as a heavy blow to the association.
“The NMA in Imo and indeed in Nigeria is in deep shock. This is a heavy blow. More than just a colleague, he was a brother, one who could never hurt a fly,” he said.
On the possible cause of the doctor’s death, Emele said: “Dr Ebirim has been a hypertensive patient who has also been on medication.
“What happened to him is what we call sudden death syndrome which most times are caused by a cardiac arrest.
“As a patriotic Nigerian who is passionate about his country just like many of us including me, it is possible the outcome of that match may have triggered the confusion in his system, causing him to slump.
“I think an autopsy will reveal what exactly transpired in his system. When that is done, the exact cause of death will be made known to the public.”
Sgt. Michael Attah, the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Heartland Estate, Owerri, where the doctor lived with his family until his death, said the management of the estate confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
“We thought it was a joke until we confirmed it on Wednesday. We feel sad because he was someone we trusted with the position of treasurer in the estate,” he said.
Ebirim is survived by his father, wife, four children and relations. (NAN)
VIN/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Physician urges govts to invest in health sector

Physician urges govts to invest in health sector
NAN-HG-2
Health
By Toba Ajayi
Ilorin, March 2, 2018 (NAN) Dr Femi Olagoke of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) has called on government at all levels to invest more in the health sector.
Olagoke made the appeal in Ilorin on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that Nigerian healthcare facilities deserved more infrastructure, personnel and equipment to discourage Nigerians from medical tourism and enriching other countries.
The medical expert said that Nigerian leaders neglected the health sector since they started seeking alternative healthcare abroad rather than improving the facilities in the sector.
He added that most of the hospitals in the country have sub-standard medical equipment which had sent many Nigerians to their early graves.
He said that the neglect has also made people to lose confidence in Nigeria’s health centres, thereby preferring overseas treatment.
“It is not only personnel that is lacking in hospitals. We also lack basic health equipments that are necessary in most Nigerian hospitals.

“Some government hospitals are nothing to write home about because the leaders never care to invest in the sector anymore.
“In most of our hospitals, you cannot find ordinary syringe not to talk of a functioning generating set to work with when the power is off.
“Nobody cares to upgrade the medical facilities, which leaves only the average and poor people to use what is left of the hospitals.
“It is only here in Nigeria that you will see a clinic or health centre where there is no curtain for the window and no net to cover the window, thereby exposing patients to all sorts of cold and insects.
“Our leaders must wake up and do something quickly, because it is not everybody that can afford to seek medical help abroad,” said the expert.
He, however, called on the government to prioritise health sector and upgrade healthcare facilities to international standard to save lives.
“Health is wealth. Let the government and private individuals accept responsibility and invest in our hospitals.
“Government must learn to treat their medical personnel well to prevent them from running abroad for a better working condition,” Olagoke said. (NAN)
LEX/KOLE/MST
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Untreated gallbladder stones, life threatening – Doctor warns

Untreated gallbladder stones, life threatening – Doctor warns

NAN-HG-6

Stones

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, April 7, 2017 (NAN) Dr Offiong Etim, a surgeon at Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja, has warned that untreated gallbladder stones could be life threatening.

Etim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that many patients were joking with what he described as a deadly medical challenge.

He therefore advised patients with gallbladder stones to seek early medical attention.

Etim described gallstones as hard deposits in the gallbladder which could be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a pear.

He also explained gallstones as solid particles that form from bile cholesterol and billibrum in the gallbladder.

According to him, the cause of gallstones is not obvious, but attributed high cholesterol in the bile as one of the factors that predispose an individual to the disease.

The surgeon blamed being overweight, pregnancy, consumption of high fat diets, eating low-fibre diet and being diabetic as factors that pose the risk of developing gallstones.

He also faulted incomplete emptying of the gallbladder as another causative factor to the formation of gallstones.

He added that being a female and over 40 years, loosing of weight quickly, family history and intake of contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs were factors that contributes to the development of gallstones.

Etim, however, recommended low fat diets in patients with gallbladder stones, saying that it is key in reducing complications associated with the disease.

He therefore urged patients with the disease and having pains or fever to seek urgent medical help as well suggested surgical removal of the bladder of patients with complications. (NAN)

CSO/HS/MST

Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Expert cautions on using mobile phones, computers at night

Expert cautions on using mobile phones, computers at night

NAN-HG-10

Alcohol

By Yashim Katurak

Abuja, March 17, 2017 (NAN) Dr Omale Charles, Managing Director, Fortress Eye Hospital and Medical Centre, Abuja, has advised those who spend long periods of time on their mobile devices at night to always leave room lights on.

Charles gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

He said this would go a long way to reduce the level of light directed to the eyes which could lead to damage to one’s vision.

The expert was speaking on the sidelines of this year’s World Glaucoma Week (WGW) commemorated from March 12 to March 18, with the theme: “Beat Invisible Glaucoma”.

Charles said those who spent long periods of time on these devices and also computers should ensure they took breaks away from the devices and gadgets in order to protect the eyes from damage caused by excessive exposure to light.

“Working long hours on the computer can affect the eyes and vision. This can trigger a negative reaction to the eyes and cause headache, loss of concentration and ultimately predisposes one to develop Computer Visual Syndrome.

“If this continues on a long term basis, it can lead to permanent damage to the eyes.

“Therefore, one should make efforts to wear protective eye glasses or use a computer screen so that the level of direct light to the eyes is reduced.

“When you work on the computer screen for long periods you should try to take a break from your work once in a while.

“From 20 seconds to about 20 minutes try to look at least 20 feet away and that way you break the continuous exposure of the light to your eyes which can result in damage to the element of vision.”

He also cautioned the public, especially those predisposed to or at risk of developing eye diseases against excessive consumption of alcohol.

Charles said consuming alcohol in excess quantity could affect the nerves of the eyes increasing the chances of damage to one’s vision.

The expert, who described alcohol as a depressant, said the substance once consumed overtime gave a feeling of euphoria and subsequently affected one’s thinking and coordination.

Charles said alcohol could only give such feeling to an individual because it worked through the nerves, adding that any substance that worked using the nerves could affect vision.

“For someone who already has a biological predisposition to glaucoma, taking alcohol or any other substance that can affect your nerves, thereby accelerating damage to the nerve of vision.

“Another thing to consider is the quantity of alcohol consumed by an individual and the level of concentration of this alcohol.

“Drug and substance abuse also has negative effects on the eyes; activities such as direct gaze at the sun can expose one to ultra-violent radiation.

“When moving outdoors, you should wear protective eye shade or a face cap to protect your eyes from this radiation because it can cause external growth within the eyes and can serve as a trigger for vision impairment.”

He listed other activities that could directly affect the eyes to include welding, adding that the iron particles caused direct trauma to the eyes. (NAN)

KRY/MO/MST

Edited by Morayo Omolade/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Untreated haemophilia causes joint damage – Doctor

Untreated haemophilia causes joint damage – Doctor

NAN-HG-5

Disorder

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, March 15, 2017 (NAN) Dr Offiong Etim, a medical practitioner in Asokoro  General Hospital Abuja has said that untreated haemophilia could lead to complications and joint damage.

Etim said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He described haemophilia as an abnormal bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally or a deficiency in one of the clotting process.

Etim also explained that haemophilia was inherited through a mutation in the X chromosomes which is common among men usually passed from father to son.

According to him, haemophilia is inherited, but most times patients with the disorder do not have family history of the disorder.

He added that the type of mutation determined whether the family member would experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms of the condition.

Etim noted that patients with the disorder would not have enough clothing factors in their blood which would cause them to bleed more if there was a cut in the ankle and legs, among others.

The medical doctor said that there were three types of haemophilia which were the A, B and C type, respectively.

He said that the ”A’’ means that there is not enough clotting factor VIII (8) in the blood while the B has to do with not having enough clotting factor (9) in the blood and C is caused by insufficient clotting factor.

However, Etim said that treatment of the condition would start with replacement therapy which started by infusing the clotting factor concentrates into a vein.

He suggested administration of some drugs could stimulate release of more clotting factor into the body especially in patients with mild cases of haemophilia in order to treat the condition.

Etim enjoined patients with the condition to adopt the culture of timely and adequate treatment in order to reduce the risk of life threatening bleeding as well as joint damage. (NAN)

CSO/JEO/MST

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Doctor recommends regular screening of girls for cancer

Doctor recommends regular screening of girls for cancer

NAN-HG-10

Screening

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, Feb. 3, 2017(NAN) Dr Fred Achem, a gynaecologist with the Feropod Hospitals, Abuja, has recommended regular screening of girls between ages nine and 16 to detect early signs of cancer.

Achem gave the suggestion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, ahead of the World Cancer Day scheduled for Feb. 4.

He said that screening of young girls between these ages would help to detect early signs of cancer cells which could be dangerous.

“There is the need to do all we can to vaccinate young girls who are not yet in their reproductive age, so that they develop antibodies to the effect of this virus.

“The idea is that for those who are not that lucky, it is a good practice to have a pap smear done every two years.”

Achem said that there were some cells in the bodies that would detect if cancer cells would come in later on, adding that this can be done mainly through a blood test.

“There are pre-cancerous states in the body that can be detected by blood checks before cancer sets in; these changes could indicate what part of the body would become cancerous later on.

“An example is the alpha-fetoprotein tests, if elevated, shows the risk of cancer of the liver.

“There are other proteins in the system which thus indicates that specific cancers can arise later on, hence the need for regular tests and screenings,” he said.

Achem said that the advantage of screening and blood tests would help to build immunity against all forms of cancers in the body.

He said the tests could also be seen in the blood contents when screened, and things like ovarian cancers could be treated early, stating that benign ovarian cancers, if treated early, could be removed.

“A lot of ovarian tumors are benign and not malignant.

“When they are removed, they are sent to the pathologist for confirmation, so, the earlier the better.”

The physician said that in girls who were found to be negative after the Pap smear, it is advised that the girls repeat the smear after two years.

Achem said that in older women, malignant cancer cells had been found to be uncontrollable in growth, hence the need to have them removed before larger problems set in.

“What the Pap smear does is to stain the vaginal cells, so as to study its appearance.

“When they appear normal, then, the Pap smear is negative; if not, if it is positive, it means that there are traces of cancer in the linings of the vaginal”.

The doctor said that parents should have the culture of creating awareness among their wards and children, stating that early screening for cancer is the key to surviving all forms of cancers. (NAN)

OEO/FLP/MST

Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola