Nigeria is expected to experience increase in the life expectancy following the innovations in the Geraitric medicine.
The Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Professor Temitope Alonge made the disclosure on Monday in Ibadan, while declaring open the maiden Basic Certificate Course in Geriatric Medicine.
The two-week long course with the theme “Introducing Doctors to Emerging Care in Geriatric Medicine was organized by Chief Tony Anenih Geriatric Centre, UCH and African Society For Ageing Research and Development (ASARD).
Alonge who also doubles as ASARD President remarked that the discovery of various disease control drugs, establishment of state of the art centres like that of the Chief Tony Anenih Geriatric Center, more research in the care of the elderly ones as well as new innovations and methods on the care of the aged has made the life expectancy increased steadily across the globe which Nigeria is not exempted.
The CMD who spoke on personal experience on what led to the death of his mother informed the audience that his mother would not have died if it were now with the discovery of disease managed drugs and vaccines.
The CMD reiterated the commitment of the hospital to adopt indigent old citizens in the centre to ease their sufferings, noting that the initiative is part of the corporate social responsibility of the hospital to meet the demand of the over increasing number of old people across the country.
Alonge while highlighting the achievements of the centre, maintained that the “impact of the centre on the health needs of over 8,000 clients that have enjoined the services of the centre in just three years has made this outfit a reference centre for Geriatric Medical practice in Nigeria.
“In addition, Medical experts in Geriatric medicine who have visited the centre from various continents have entered into institutional relationship with the centre that will ultimately increase the profile of the centre.
Speaking to the participants, Director of the centre, Dr. Adekunle Adebusoye informed them that the course will not only involve lectures but clinical and practical sessions.
He noted that the care of the elderly ones popularly referred to as senior citizens entail physical, mental, social as well as peculiarities and characteristics of the old age which the participants must be acquitted with.
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