Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Imo State Chapter, has stressed the importance of improved public health awareness, early diagnosis and adequate management of heart disease as part of efforts to reduce the growing burden of heart failure.
This awareness call was made during the NMA Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held last Saturday, at its Secretariat, Owerri.
In his lecture titled “Heart Failure: A Final Pathway of Heart Disease – Recognition, Economic Burden and Management,” Dr. Nwako Okechukwu, hinted that the lecture was geared to reawaken medical doctors to their responsibility in health management and increasing awareness on the prevalence of Heart Failure, a menace he described as a dangerous, but preventable condition.
He said doctors must be able to recognize the signs of heart failure early and take adequate measures to save lives.
Nwako, who is a Senior Lecturer at College of Medicine, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, attributed the high incidence of heart failure to several environmental and lifestyle factors, saying hypertensive heart disease remains the leading cause of heart failure in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He identified other causes to include coronary artery disease, diabetes, arrhythmia, stress and hereditary factors.
Nwako expressed concerna over worsening socio-economic conditions, which he added had pushed many people, especially young people, into drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, all of which he identified are major risk factors for heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.
He listed common symptoms of heart failure as swollen legs, persistent tiredness, shortness of breath and chest pain.
To address the challenge, Nwako advocated improved public health education, adoption of healthy lifestyles, regular physical exercise, smoking abstainance, reduction in alcohol and salt intake, effective management of hypertension and diabetes, as well as seeking treatment only from licensed medical professionals.
The consultant also urged government to strengthen regulation of medical practice to standardize healthcare delivery and eliminate quackery, describing the activities of unqualified practitioners as a major threat to public health.
Nwako charged medical doctors to remain committed to their professional calling by providing healthcare services with integrity, compassion and adherence to professional standards.
In his address, Imo State NMA Chairman, Dr. Echeta Bartholomew, welcomed participants and appreciated them for attending the conference.
Echeta said the importance of the AGM and Scientific Conference in enhancing professional development, improving healthcare service delivery and advancing the growth of the Association and its members cannot be overstressed.
Echeta, alongside other members of the State Officers’ Committee and the State Secretary, Dr. Ibekwe Nnaemeka Uzodimma, told participants to maximize the opportunity to acquire new knowledge for both professional and personal development.
He commended the resource persons for their insightful and impactful presentations.
The conference also featured a keynote lecture titled “Modern Healthcare Survival: Entrepreneurship as Financial Resilience for Medical Doctors,” delivered by Dr. Evaristus Uzoma Azodoh, who encouraged medical practitioners to embrace entrepreneurship as a means of achieving financial stability while maintaining excellence in clinical practice.
Other presentation, titled “Beyond the Stethoscope: Maxillofacial Surgery—A Mace and Maze of Misconceptions,” delivered by Dr. Chikwendu Ejike, who highlighted misconceptions surrounding the specialty and enlightened participants on its scope and significance in modern healthcare.
A major highlight of the well-attended AGM was the presentation of the 2024–2026 Executive Committee Secretariat Report by the State Secretary, Dr. Ibekwe Nnaemeka Uzodimma, which received widespread commendation from members.
