BY OKHIDE EM’YA DAVID
Neurologists say recent findings have revealed that un-recommended consumption of Garlic and Aspirin worsens cases of High Blood pressure and can lead to early death of Stroke Patients.
The Neurologists including, a Professor of Neurology, Mustapha Danesi, Head of Stroke Unit, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH); Professor, F A Imarhiagbe, Chairman West African Medical Association; Dr. Osahon Enabulele, President, Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr. Ehimen Odiase and Several others made the revelation at the 10th anniversary celebration of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Stroke Ward, otherwise known as Ward 45.
The Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Professor Darlington Obaseki, while welcoming guests and members of the university community to the event paid glowing tributes to the founders of the Stroke Department at the Teaching Hospital, Professors A .O. Ogunrin, Eugene Okpere, Victor Ohiamumen Oviasu, and Michael Ibadin.
Professor Obaseki said these medical experts who over the years exhibited uncommon passion for the department to be turned into a ward of pride, managed according to global best practices have clearly shown that the university does not lack Visionaries.
The CMD challenged the Stroke Department to soar in exploits and promised to continue to provide the enabling environment, infrastructure and motivation, so that staff will sustainably enhance productivity.
Chairman local organizing committee, and consultant Neurologist, Dr. Ehimen Odiase in an opening remark said the event was tailored along the observance of the global stroke day meant to boost awareness on the ailment which has been surrounded by unverified myths, misinformed claim like stroke is caused by spiritual problem or caused by witches and wizards.
The Neurologists said it was time to demystify all the myths surrounding stroke so that Nigerians with the health challenge can access treatment at the Hospital.
Head of Stroke Unit, UBTH, and chairman sub specialty of Neurology, Faculty of Internal Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Professor F.A. Imarhiagbe, in a brief history of the stroke ward a said the medical facility has grown from a simple staff strength of three consultant Neurologists to ten being trained, with three in training, while two thousand five hundred acute Patients have been successfully treated and fully recovered at the Ward.
Professor Imarhiagbe listed other milestones to include publication of twenty three scientific publications in peer review Journals.
Imarhiagbe announced that the UBTH stroke ward has developed a stroke registry and a diagnostic clinical tool, called the” Benin Stroke Score, “while some of their works have been presented in big platforms like the world congress of Neurology in 2013, and American Academy of Neurology, in 2014 and two thousand and fifteen.
Other achievements include adoption and use of the UBTH stroke ward score in Senegal and South Africa, the first to publish the largest all objective, hundred percent Neuroimaging assisted stroke registry in the country and first stroke dedicated ward in Nigeria.
The Professor of Neurology asked Nigerians to immediately seek medical attention when they experience early symptoms of stoke expressing worries that many of their patients usually arrive the ward, unconscious, which places extra burden on the health care provider and enjoined them to discountenance superstitious and unfounded tales about the sicknesses.
In a lecture titled “Management of Stroke in a developing Country” Professor of Neurology, Mustapha Danesi observed that many cases of Stroke managed by non experts do not survive hence the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, had to domesticate all concerns about the sicknesses in one ward ten years ago.
Professor Danesi observed that extreme hypertension usually results to stroke and tasked the populace to manage their blood pressure, blood sugar level, through regular exercises, balanced diet, less consumption of salt, alcohol and other body toxins instead swallowing un-prescribed medicines, foods and plants in the name of natural cure for the ailment
The Neurologist cautioned against unnecessary stress as the problems are never resolved through undue worries.
He urged Medical Doctors to always refer patients to undergo CT scan , ECG and other medical procedures after diagnosis or to obtain adequate information on the extent or otherwise of the severity, complexity of the sickness.
Prof Danesi analyzed various types of strokes and how best to medically tackle them.
A stroke survivor, Mrs. Esezobor who narrated her ordeal, said seeking medical attention at the UBTH ward 45 on February 11 2014, was like a miracle as the Doctors literally broke all the myths and cultural misgivings to put her back on her feet.
She urged Nigerians to seek better professional advice when struck by stroke instead of relying on unverifiable heresies.
Some of the founding fathers of the UBTH stroke ward including, Professor A. O. Ogunrin, V. O. Oviasu, former CMDs of the hospital, Professor Eugene Okpere, a as well as President, Nigeria Stroke Organization, Professor Yomi Ogun, amongst others harped on the need to ensure better funding of the stroke treatment by the relevant Government Agencies, saying many Nigerians were daily dying of the disease owing to paucity of manpower and equipment nationwide.
They encouraged all the staff of ward 45 UBTH to continuously strive to put in their best as the People and the Hospital Authorities genuinely appreciate their worth.
