Tag: LASUCOM

TO  fewer than 60 fresh doctors have been urged to give priority to professionalism  and shun the craze for wealth. They should also treat their patients with empathy.

A medical Elder, Prof Olufemi Adelowo gave this advice to the nineth set of graduating medical doctors of  Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) during their induction.

Adelowo, a renowned professor of Rheumatology said: “It is not good for a young doctor to place money above professionalism because the world prioritises excellence in a specialist rather than in a medic without a rudder.”

He said the  doctors should  realise that no profession in the world can function alone, but in conjunction with others. “So put all arrogance aside, recognise other professionals and relate with courtesy, including to the cleaners, gardeners and other health workers. The doctor is always the head of the team, no need to flex muscle or stifle other professionals. Respect all and constituted authority as well. Bury ego and work with other professionals knowing that we are all in the business of making the patient whole,” he said.

Prof Adelowo they should always show compassion to their patient just as they do  to their relations. “Do not dress shabbily. Specialise in that area that gives you joy; show appreciation to all and sundry in the course of your duty, especially to those who made you achieve feats and worship God.”

The Provost, Prof Gabriel Awosanya told the graduating medics to be humble so they can learn more from others, especially senior colleagues and elders.

“You are now doctors, many people will come your way in search for medical care. I want you to know that the only virtue that can take you to the top is humility. Accord your patients respect because you never can tell when you will be privileged to give care to the custodian of your breakthrough. The world will not be radically different because of you but it won’t be quite the same either. The journey has just begun, MB; BS as sweet as it sounds, is not the end of the road. Identify an area of specialty of your interest and strive to excel. Go and make a difference in the world.”

Toluwalashe Lawal is the overall best student.

How can malaria be eradicated? It is by a productive partnership among federal, state, local governments, universities and research institutions, say researchers.

According to them, translating research into technical and social innovations is a prerequisite if any malaria programme designed to save lives, especially of children, is to succeed.

At a lecture organised by the Lagos State University, College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos to mark Malaria Day, they said focus should be on research and how to utilise new technologies and social innovation to eliminate the desease. The theme of the lecture was: Malaria: Challenges and opportunities, can we win the fight? The role of new advances in science.

Prof Lateef Salako, formerly of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) said: “It is true there is a reduction in the rate of malaria cases in the country, but to stamp out this epidemic there is the urgent need for a synergy between researchers, the government, ministries, departments and agencies and involved in malaria control. That will enable coordinated activities that will produce quicker results than what obtains at the moment.”

The guest speaker, Prof Ayoade Oduola, said government should consider setting up a Malaria Eradication Research Agenda for Nigeria ( MaIERAN), adding that benefits from improved public health to economic rewards will be felt by all.

He said: “Malaria costs Nigeria over N190 billion every year in terms of treatments, burden on the health system and absentees from the work force. The disease is a major contributor to economic loss to families, local, state and federal governments.

“The generation of new knowledge and advances in science, technology and a better understanding of social, economic and environmental drivers of the cycle of infection in communities in the past three decades is unprecedented. This new information, if strategically incorporated into an integrated control agenda, could make significant difference in the outcomes of malaria control efforts in the next 10 years.

“The cost and time required for developing new drugs, from the discovery of a chemical entity through laboratory studies, animal evaluations, clinical trials, registration and public use is long and highly expensive.

“These factors limit the number of anti-malarial drugs available for therapy and prophylaxis at any given time. The economic environments of the countries where the drugs are discovered and developed also determine the cost of development and the high cost of development and the high market price of the medicines.

“The challenge of drug resistant parasites has been met with the introduction of a combination of therapies designed to achieve effective cure and slow down emergence of resistance, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).

“The combinations though effective are not cheap, raising challenges of access to treatment for poor populations in the absence of subsidy or donation programmes.”