Don Urges FG, States To Establish Heart Institutes In 6 Geo-political Zones

Government at all levels have been called upon to join hands together and establish heart institutes in the six geopolitical zones of the country like in Philippines,
India among others.

Professor Philip Mamma Kolo of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University Ilorin made the call at the 236 Inaugural lecture of the University with the theme: “Power And The Failed Pump: Travails And Remedies For Broken Hearts.

The don added that such institutes will make open heart surgery available in Nigeria and take care of patients with structural heart diseases.

The University lecturer also stressed the need for the establishment of cardiac
catheterization laboratory in major teachings hospitals in Nigeria to address cardiac diseases that are amenable
through interventional procedures.

Prof Kolo also called for the provision of defibrillators in public places to address
cases of patients with cardiac arrests outside the hospital and regular training of all hospital staff or other institutions
to be able to offer first aid to patients with cardiac arrest

“Government should provide legislative support to those who wish to donate their organs including the heart, if they are involved in conditions causing brain death.

Psychosocial supports should be encouraged among families especially in those who have had recent losses, Such as loss of close relatives. business and domestic violence.

Obesity, diabetes mellitus and other non-communicable diseases should be declared a public health emergencies with all efforts directed at community education on diet and lifestyle choices to prevent these conditions” He said

“Pre-hypertension and mild clevation in blood pressure should not be ignored but treated properly after individuals’ risks are fully assessed. Physicians inertial
in treating hypertension should be discouraged for early medical intervention

“Medication adherence and persistence by patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases should be
encouraged. Patients should not abandon their medications for non-orthodox drugs such as Tiansi, bitter cola, snail water and GNLD drugs.

“Offspring of hypertensive parents should be considered as a special group that needs early assessment, hypertension screening and monitoring for future cardiovascular events. They should be discouraged from cigarette smoking and ethanol abuse.

“Manpower training and re-training to provide expertise in the field of cardiovascular medicine and
cardiothoracic surgery is essential for regular open surgery.” He added.

Prof Kolo with the Vice Chancellor UNILORIN at the Inaugural lecture
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