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  • Doctors’ strike: LASUTH, others still attending to patients

    Doctors’ strike: LASUTH, others still attending to patients

    Treatment of patients in Lagos hospitals did not stop as doctors’ strike entered its third day yesterday.

    When The Nation visited the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), our reporter saw patients being attended to by doctors, while some workers gathered in groups to discuss the strike.

    A patient, Mrs Seun Fashugba, said she was not aware doctors were on strike before heading to the hospital at 5:30am. She had an accident and was groaning in pain. “Thankfully, I was treated by a doctor and even booked future appointment,” she said.

    A Cardiothoracic Consultant, Dr Bode Falase, who attended to patients, said there was not need for hospitals to be shut down while doctors are on strike. He said consultants would be at work for emergency conditions till the strike would be called off.

    Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris said the government was already addressing the issue, urging the doctors to return to work. He told the aggrieved doctors to place professionalism above personal consideration, saying they must consider the people as the strike continues.

    But a medical practitioner, Dr Ore Falomo, described the doctors’ action as needless, urging them back to work.

    Falomo, who was in LASUTH yesterday, said: “When people work diligently, success is guaranteed and it will naturally come. Strike is a challenge we have to face and it is not something we can ignore. I am leaving LASUTH now to talk to the doctors to ensure we get something meaningful done to end the mess created by young doctors. Medical practice is a calling and not a business. I know the authority has not attended to many issues causing the strike, but doctors must exhaust all avenues before going on strike. Strike has never been a good option, because innocent patients suffer.”

    The Nation observed that most state-owned hospitals opened for operation but activities were not at the peak as they used to be when there was no strike. Patients have continued to access healthcare at the LASUTH, Gbagada General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital and Igando General Hospital, among others.

    The Medical Guild chairman, Dr Biyi Kufo, said the government was frustrating the association’s plan to end the strike, noting that doctors were being asked to sign attendance register.

    He said: “Doctors are complying with the industrial action as directed by the body. But we observed that our members are being victimised through signing of attendance register and discrimination.

    “The government did not take these steps when the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) was on strike. Why should must they ask our members to sign a register when we go on strike to demand what is due to us? It is quite unfortunate that government resorted to cheap blackmail to make doctors return to work. We will resist this move.”

    Kufo said doctors would continue to attend to emergency cases, but added that strike would not be called off until their demands are met.

     

     

  • Pomp as LASUTH CMD’s daughter quits spinsterhood

    Pomp as LASUTH CMD’s daughter quits spinsterhood

    Lola, daughter of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof Adewale Oke, has tied the knot with her beau, Adedayo Aluko, writes PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

    It had all the trappings of a society wedding. Exotic cars, classy venues and ‘A’ list guests. Last Saturday, the high and mighty turned up at the wedding of Lola, daughter of Chief Medical Director (CMD) Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Prof Adewale Oke and her beau Adedayo Aluko at the Catholic Church of Presentation on Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA Ikeja.

    The reception was held at  The Haven Events Centre also on the same street.

    The church’s parking lot was full before the mass started.

    Dressed in an immaculate white flowing gown with silver accessories, the bride was all smiles as she clung to her husband throughout the event, which had guests such as Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos; Chairman, Zenith Bank Chief Steve Omojafor, Governor Babatunde Fashola’s mother, Mrs Omolara Fashola and Madam Olabisi Jolaosho.

    The ensembles in the marquee had a touch of glamour. The décor was a blend of class and royalty with the beautifully lit hall divided into two sections for the comfort of guests of each family.

    While Oke’s guests were ushered to take their seat on the right side of the hall, those who honoured Aluko family with their presence were seated on the left side.

    Neatly dressed and delectable ushers stood beside each table in the about a thousand capacity hall, attending to requests from the guests while awaiting the commencement of the reception.

    Food and drinks were inexhaustible and guests were served as many times as they requested. The live Band and the Master of Ceremony (MC) delivered on their contracts as beautiful renditions and rib-cracking jokes kept everyone present busy while waiting for the couple to arrive the hall.

    As the crowd anxiously waited for the newlywed to mount their thrown-like seats, ushers on instruction, walked through the aisle to appeal to bystanders to give way for the couple and the bridal train to dance and walk through.

    The love-birds still clinging to each other, danced to D’Banj’s hit song, “You don make me fall in love”, and other contemporary Nigerian music, occasionally waving at those who came to celebrate them.

    The reception eventually commenced with an opening prayer led by a Catholic Priest, Rev. Edmond Akpala, after the parents of the bride and groom had danced, separately, to the high table accompanied by their friends and the couple received royal blessings from the monarch.

    Omojafor, who chaired the occasion, described the union as a celebration of love.

    He admonished the couple to take the advice given by the Priest seriously, adding that they must commit themselves to making their marriage work.

    “He who finds a good wife has his days longer. The couple did their home work well to discover each other. I pray God will guide, protect and provide for them so they live a good life.

    He warned them that a time will come when a little problem will ensue, noting that they must solve it on their own and find a solution.

    “Not even your parents will help. Pray all the time because it will give you all you need to live a happy life. Marriage is not all about money. Leave your friends out of your intimate life,” said Omojafor.

    After the chairman’s remark, the couple cut their wedding cake and had their first dance, with the bride out-shining the groom with her dance moves.

    There was also dance time for the bride and her father, after which the bridal train struggled for the bouquet and all present toasted towards a beautiful and fulfilling union for the couple.

    During an interview after the mass, the bride’s father, Prof Oke said he was happy his daughter has found happiness, though he would miss her.

    “For me, it is a day of mixed feelings. I am very happy as a father that my daughter has found happiness. I will miss her presence in the house, but I know that is how God wants it. From what I have seen between them, they are going to be living fine,” he said.

    The groom said he was captivated by his bride’s beautiful smile the first time they met.

    “I met my wife in Bowen University in 2003. I was attracted by her smile and beauty. I proposed to her in my room, just the two of us. It was just a romantic time in the house. I am happy our relationship has blossomed into marriage and I am grateful to her for accepting to make me the happiest man,” he said.

    Lola was also full of praises for her husband, describing him as “a wonderful person”.

  • Doctors donate blood to help campaign

    Doctors donate blood to help campaign

    As part of activities to mark their yearly general meeting, doctors donated blood to strengthen the voluntary blood donation campaign. They were a spectacle to behold when they gathered for the exercise at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) last Thursday. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA and WALE ADEPOJU write.

    It is something they have been doing since 2010. So when they showed up at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja last Thursday, many who knew of this yearly exercise were not surprised. Yet , the doctors were a spectacle to behold at the Lagbaja Field of LASUTH, where the event took place.

    The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC) officials were around to ensure that everything went well as the doctors took turns to donate blood.

    According to the former chairman of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo, his colleagues donate  blood as part of activities for their Annual General meeting (AGM), and to give back to the society.

    Dr Sodipo said: “By doing this we are also showing the world that there is a gap to be filled by all eligible blood donors, a non-remunerated voluntary blood donation to save lives during emergency. We are the doctors that attend to patients; we try to see where the challenges are and intervene. Blood is always in high demand but few supply. We doctors have been donating blood since 2010 to boost the state’s blood bank.

    “We have identified blood shortage as the major challenge in Lagos and the areas where there is unrest. Many people need blood but unfortunately most Nigerians do not donate blood. Asking a person to donate blood is not a punishment; hence we as doctors are leading by example.”

    ARD LASUTH President,  Dr Ahmad Sa’eid described the exercise as part of doctors’ efforts to address contemporary health challenges.

    Blood, he said, is an essential element needed to support life, noting that it is usually not available for purchase.

    Moreover, doctors are challenged to have a replacement for it. “If a human needs blood, we must get it from a fellow human. Chronic shortage of blood from long standing illness, malnutrition, accident and disasters resulting in bodily injury as well as childbirth and surgical procedures are reasons we need blood,” he said.

    Who should donate blood? He said: “So long the person is not too young or too old as in frail and not breast feeding. Such can donate blood.”

    Sa’eid said blood donation  by doctors, “is to give a practical demonstration of our love for the patients. This is to encourage the public to imbibe the culture of non remunerated voluntary blood donation when there is no emergency. It is also to encourage people that blood donation poses no danger to donors. I enjoin the people to donate at least every six month, when that donor would have fully recovered.”

    Dr Ahmad noted that despite medical advances, there is still no good man-made substitute for human blood, which is why blood donation is so important.

    He said: ‘Blood and its components have a limited life; Red blood cell concentrates can be kept for 42 days. Plasma can be stored for a year and Platelets can be kept for five days. Blood is used every day. We need donations every day, because the need for blood is constant, so is the need for donations. Every day, all the hospitals and clinics in Nigeria need blood and blood components to treat patients, since most surgical interventions and a great number of medical procedures require blood transfusions. You don’t need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason.”

    Dr Ahmad said: “Some people give blood because they were asked by a friend. Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day. Some believe it is the right thing to do. Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply.  And you’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped change a life.”

    Dr Ahmad said there are some health benefits in voluntarily donating blood, “You will receive a check on your Pulse; Blood pressure; Body temperature; Haemoglobin. People donate blood for different reasons – some do it for friends, family members, or even themselves. Others donate to help people they don’t even know. In all, we have inculcated this as part of our AGM and this year over 70 medics participated in the exercise.”

  • Church donates blood to LASUTH

    Members of Agape Generation International, Maryland Lagos last week donated blood to support countless injured Nigerians requiring blood transfusion.

    The exercise, which held at the church’s headquarters, had officials of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on ground for screening and collection of the samples.

    The General Overseer, Pastor Toyin Kehinde, said the gesture was to demonstrate that Christianity is more than preaching and holding services.

    Apart from providing a pool for those in dire needs of transfusion, he said that blood transfusion is a healthy exercise for donors.

    According to him: “Blood donation has many benefits for the body. If life can be given, how much more blood?”

    The church, he stated, is aware of hospitals such as LASUTH always in needs of blood for emergencies, stressing that the donation was to fill in the gap.

    Expressing delight over the turnout of donors, he encouraged Nigerians to discard the fear associated with blood donation, saying it is a small price to pay to save others.

    Mr. Aile Kingsley, who led the team from LASUTH, called on the healthy Nigerians to see blood donation as their civic responsibility and do it as often as they can, to help save lives.

  • The outfit that manages LASUTH’s Mortuary services

    Mrs. Taiwo Ogunsola is the CEO of TOS Funerals, the outfit that manages LASUTH’s Mortuary services. She tells OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA her over two months experience embalming the South African corpses.

    WHAT was it like handling bodies of this nature?

    We are professionals at this. We have managed successfully mass disasters involving bodies from plane crashes, building collapses, drowning, accidents, and fire disasters. But this particular one in from the Synagogue collapse required more attention and skill because of the diplomatic relationships between the two countries. We wash the corpses everyday; unlike with Nigerians that bury on time. The bodies were with us for over two months- since September 12. The peculiarity of the case is the diplomatic issue.

    Did you obtain foreign assistance during the embalmment?

    We did not contact any outsider either for suggestions or practical involvement in handling the embalmment. It was TOS Funerals that solely did everything. I remember General Raars, a representative of the South African government in Nigeria gave us kudos just as he did the mortuary too.

    Were there issues with identification?

    Not at all, as you know Prof John Obafunwa was on top of the game. There was no room for error. It was zero tolerance for mistake. There cannot be. And there are no complaints from the team that has come to take the bodies. As you can see, everything is going on well.

     

  • Stroke, a preventable disease

    Stroke, a preventable disease

    Stroke, in medical parlance, is an emergency but an early response or prompt treatment can minimize its adverse effects on the brain. Moderate physical exercises, Dr Olufemi Fasanmade suggests, are proactive measures against its occurrence. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA met him. 

    Nigerians have been urged to engage in physical activities to prevent stroke. The advice was given by Dr Femi Fasanmade an Associate Professor and Consultant Physician/Endocrinologist, College of Medicine University of Lagos, (LUTH), Idi-Araba.

    Dr Fasanmade said stroke is a cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a major cause of disability and premature death throughout the world. “The underlying pathology is atherosclerosis, which develops over many years and is usually advanced by the time symptoms occur, generally in middle age. Acute coronary events (heart attacks) and cerebrovascular events (strokes) frequently occur suddenly, and are often fatal before medical care can be given,” he said.

    According to him, physical activity improves heart function and lipid profile by lowering total cholesterol. It lowers blood pressure and resting heart rate.

    A source said adults who do not exercise on a regular basis have a 20 per cent higher risk of having a stroke than their more active peers, according to a study published in the latest editio of the journal, Stroke.

    This research backs up earlier findings, including those from a 2010 multi-country study that identified physical inactivity as the second leading risk factor for strokes. This current study, however, is the first to look at such a large multiracial group of both men and women.

    Dr Fasanmade, a founding member of Stroke Action and Awareness Campaign, said what informed a stroke action programme in Nigeria is due to the burden of cardiovascular diseases.

    He said: “If you enter a typical emergency set up or room in a place like LUTH or Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) or Federal Medical Centre (FMC) or even any General Hospital, you will find out that every single day, one patient would be brought in unconscious and many are unconscious to either a stroke or due to a heart attack. In Nigeria, stroke is much more common than heart attacks. We have started to see these cases. If you also go to the wards, in a typical adult medical ward, you will always find at any particular time, month or period, at least one person who is being managed or on admission for  stroke. So, strokes are quite common and can be very devastating.”

    Dr Fasanmade added: “Risk factor modification, such as physical exercise can reduce clinical events and premature death in people with established cardiovascular disease as well as in those who are at high cardiovascular risk due to one or more risk factors.”

    The Consultant Endocrinologist said stroke is very common because of the things that lead to it saying: “25 to 30 percent adult Nigerians are hypertensive and majority of uncontrolled or untreated hypertension lead to stroke. So if we can prevent hypertension you prevent stroke. Unfortunately, hypertension don’t show signs and people may not know until they develop complications. It is either they collapse, have heart failures or kidney failure or even develop a stroke but there is none that is more dramatic than a stroke. In most instances, a lot of sudden deaths are due to stroke when people suddenly collapse and die. This tells us how stroke can be devastating.

    “A stroke is a medical emergency. Strokes happen when blood flow to your brain stops. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. There are two kinds of stroke. The more common kind, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. “Mini-strokes” or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), occur when the blood supply to the brain is briefly interrupted.”

    He said symptoms of stroke are- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body); sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and sudden severe headache with no known cause. “If you have any of these symptoms, you must get to a hospital quickly to begin treatment. Acute stroke therapies try to stop a stroke while it is happening by quickly dissolving the blood clot or by stopping the bleeding. Post-stroke rehabilitation helps individuals overcome disabilities that result from stroke damage. Drug therapy with blood thinners is the most common

  • ‘LASUTH overburdened by attendance’

    ‘LASUTH overburdened by attendance’

    The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), has said it is overburdened by the number of patients it receives daily.

    Its Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Wale Oke said the hospital has 600 beds, which are not enough for patients.

    Oke, who spoke to reporters in the hospital on his stewardship, said patients attend the facility for minor ailments rather than visiting the primary health care (PHC) centres which cater for such.

    “It is after a PHC fails in treating a minor ailment that secondary health facilities, such as General Hospitals, can take over the treatment. If the latter fails to address the issue, then patients can be referred to a tertiary facility, such as ours, “he said.

    He said LASUTH was a General Hospital before it was upgraded to a tertiary hospital, adding that this may be why patients still visit the facility for minor ailments.

    Oke said when doctors attend to minor ailments it stops them from dealing with complex cases.

    “The number of patients a doctor attends to during clinic is mind-boggling. They deserve some rest, too. But, the only way to ease the pressure on doctors is for patients to take minor ailments, such as fever, diarrhoea and dysentery, among others, to primary or secondary care centres. PHCs and General Hospitals are equal to the task,“ he said.

    He said the hospital had inaugurated its service charter, adding that this was established to ensure best services are available to internal and external customers first time.

    Oke said Nigerians should have faith in the expertise of the health professionals, adding that testimonies have shown that it is not rosy with health tourism.

    “Patients need to trust the services provided in the country because we have built capacity in most areas of medical services. So, what they are looking for in the United States, Canada and India, among others, is available here. If any case is beyond what we can handle, we always refer. We are not established to endanger anybody’s life,“ he said.

    Oke said the hospital has been performing specialised surgeries, such as hip and knee replacement and cleft lip as well as cochlear implantation, among others.

    Chairman, LASUTH Board, Dr Olatunde Williams, said the hospital has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some Indian hospitals to train some members of staff.

    The hospital, he said, has recruited interns to some sub-specialties, adding that members of staff who had left would be replaced quarterly to attend to the growing demands of LASUTH.

    Williams said the renovation of the centre’s laboratory was nearing  completion as 90 per cent of the job has been done.

    He said the renovation of Ayinke House was ongoing, adding that it would soon be equipped for inauguration in the first quarter of next year.

  • Lagos floats cardiac, renal centre

    The Lagos State has floated a Cardiac and Renal Centre. Located on the premises of the General Hospital, Gbagada, an annex of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), it is a 67-bed centre.

    The design provides access to all floors by two-bed lifts and a wide ramp, which allows two trolleys to pass simultaneously.

    Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris said the centre would address the problem faced by the citizens with renal failure.

    He said: “We have observed that we sponsor many people abroad for renal transplant. So, the decision to put this in place is in tandem with the governor’s resolve to ensure that policies and plans are focused on the needs of her citizenry. We have facts that there are increasing numbers of patients presenting with End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) disease.

    “Secondly, the centre will serve as a place for the brain gains returning to the country. Some had complained that they would have loved to return back to the country but for lack of state of the art facility to practice in. So now, we are expecting those specialists to bring their skill to bear both on the patients and medics in-training. In the same vein, the facility will serve as a training ground for medics who are interested in specialising in renal care. That translates to the fact that this government has been able to conserve the financial resources currently being expended in the management of patients with renal and cardiac diseases in foreign countries.”

    Dr Idris said the centre would be managed under the Limited Liability Partnership (LPP) with Renescor Health LLP for five years.

    He said: “Under this concessionairing agreement, the staffs are not the regular public servants, so there is no room for strike because strike is strange to the high skilled specialists that are coming in.”

    The representative of the Renescor Health LLP, Dr Ladi Awosika, said his team would provide quality services in line with international best practices, promote medical tourism, provide a training field to develop the capacity of the state’s personnel and facilitate a gradual paradigm shift on dependence on foreign personnel with the skilled empowerment of local professionals.

     

  • Patients in Lagos agonise over strike

    Patients seeking treatment at various public hospitals in Lagos State were turned down yesterday as members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) started their indefinite strike.

    At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igboi and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Metta, among others, doctors did not attend to patients.

    The out-patient units and clinics were shut in the hospitals while in-patients were not unable to see doctors.

    This also made other health workers in the hospitals, such as pharmacists, nurses and medical laboratory scientists to play truancy as went on sorts of holiday.

    Many patients who came to hospitals on referrals and new patients went away disappointed as security officials re-echo “there is strike” to their ears.

    They were told to seek medical services in private hospitals.

    Some patients were also discharged from the hospitals.

    The Accident and Emergency (A and E) units were shut at LUTH but that of LASUTH was opened only that new patients were not admitted.

    The Paediatric Ward, Out-Patient Department (OPD) and Oncology Unit were deserted by doctors. Some nurses were seen at the Labour Ward attending to some expectants mothers.

    Doctors at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, also complied joined the strike as they shunned their duty posts. The A and E, orthopaedic ward and other Wards were shut at new patients while nurses remained with patients in critical condition.

    The story is the same at FMC, Ebute Metta, only that other health workers were on ground but patients were asking for the doctors.

    A few nurses were seen attending to some in-patients but new patients were asked to seek treatment elsewhere.

    A patient, Mrs Lola Adeyemi said she was surprised that doctors can embark on another strike, especially when the Association Resident Doctors (ARD) just ended their strike.

    She said strike will increase the pain of hapless patients who are paying through the nose in public hospitals that ought to offer hope to indigent patients.

    Another patient, Mr Suraj AbdulWaheed said patients are the people who usually bear the brunt of the strike, adding: “The government and doctors don’t have the interest of people at heart, nemesis will catch up with them if they do not change. The hardship in Nigeria is too much”.

    NMA chairman, Lagos State, Dr Francis Faduyile said doctors have complied with the striking order by the NMA.

    He said until the Federal Government resolved the problem the situation will remain the same.

    Faduyile said doctors will remain resolute until their demands are addressed by the government, adding: “Nobody can tell when the strike would be called off”.

    He said quick resolution of the indefinite strike can be achieve if the government address doctors grievances.

     

  • Two police officers die in accident

    Two police officers die in accident

    •Four robbery suspects escape 

    Two police officers lost their lives in an accident yesterday as two others sustained injuries while escorting seven suspected armed robbers from Kaduna to Lagos. Four of the suspects escaped while three others sustained injuries.

    The incident occurred about 2.30 pm at Onigare Village along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command, were coming with the suspects they arrested in Kaduna.

    A source said the vehicle somersaulted four times, leading to the death of two policemen.

    Evbouan Aighakhai, an Inspector with AP No. 100445 from Edo State, and Sergeant Nuru Aliyu Sanni, with Force No. 210849 from Katsina State, died at University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, where they were rushed to.

    The corpses of the dead officers were kept in the morgue at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where the two officers who sustained injuries are receiving treatment alongside three suspects who sustained minor injuries.

    The officer in charge SARS, a Superintendent of Police (SP) Abba Kyari, who confirmed the story, was mourning when The Nation visited his office yesterday.