From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The Cross River State government has concluded arrangements to partner with Airway Management professionals on health care delivery services.
Disclosing this at the inauguration of the Airway Management Simulation Centre at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and training workshop for healthcare professionals held in Calabar, the commissioner for health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, described the centre as first of its kind and commended the Airway Development Incorporated for the stride it has recorded in the health sector.
Ayuk said: “I am optimistic about the future of airway management especially during operations and in times of emergencies. The state government does not have this kind of capacity and facilities at our hospitals, but with the simulation centre now in place, nurses, doctors and other health workers in the state would make good use of the centre and address our mutual needs.
“We would engage the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) management on how to train our staff at general hospital as well as incorporate private hospitals to promote health safety management and other services to meet up with best practices in the sector.
“We should scale up health service in the state. So if there is a way to share knowledge of new discoveries let us try to reach those that need the care without much barrier. It is about building capacity. The simulation centre is a good project and would assist the state.”
According to the commissioner, efforts would be made to attract more of such facilities with a view to achieving the state government’s policies on health for all, especially for aged and the children.
Speaking at the event, the National President of Society of Specialists in Airway Management, Dr. Aderonke Adesiyan, said airway management training has been brought closer to health practitioners considering the fact that knowledge and skills are essential for all healthcare professionals.
Adesiyan, represented by the
South-South Regional Airway
Society of Specialists in Airway Management, Dr. Queeneth Kalu, said: “The simulation centres across the country have been made possible by the generous donations of over 400 airway manikins, 200 video layngoscopes and numerous airway equipment from the Airway Development Incorporated. We appreciate Dr. Tapia’s unwavering passion and commitment to the improvement of the practice of airway management in Nigeria and Africa.
“It is our hope these centres will be used to enhance the training and retraining of medical students, nurses, medical officers, residents and consultants in all specialties where airway management may be required. We call for collaboration to improve healthcare delivery to all patients.”
In a goodwill message, the Chief Medical Director of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof Ikpeme Ikpeme, represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr. Michael Eyong, said the hospital is committed to promoting quality health to the host communities, adding that the new centre would go a long way to assisting health workers in managing patients.
On his part, the chairman of the occasion and former Chief Medical Director of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof Rowland Ndoma-Egba, said: “Airway is about resuscitation and it has become specialised to the level that awareness is being created on the need for all healthcare providers to be abreast of current trends in managing patients in our hospitals.”
Equally speaking, the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Prof. Ngim E. Ngim, said: “We are happy to have this simulation centre at this crucial period the health sector is passing through challenges. We would continue to partner with Airway Development Incorporated for the growth of the health sector.
“It is important we incorporate other health professionals to have fair knowledge of airway because it is one of the most important component part of emergency health management.”
In her opening remark, the
South-South Regional Airway
Society of Specialists in Airway Management and the Head of Department, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, commended the management of UCTH for providing the place and encouraged all cadres of health workers to access airway training at the Centre.
The maiden workshop featured five training stations ranging from Basic airway equipment, oxygen therapy, Paediatric airway, video laryngoscopy and emergency front of the neck access.