-By Precious Werner Ahiakwo
The Chief Consultant, Family Physician at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Professor Paul Dienye, said the Teaching hospitals meant for learning, trainings and research have been bastardized with unnecessary treatments of malaria and typhoid.
Professor Dienye said this at the sideline of event organized by the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria and the Association of Nigeria Private Medical Practitioners in Rivers State as part of activities to commemorate the World Family Doctor Day in Rivers State.
He called for training of Family Physicians and development of the Primary Health Care in the state family Physicians can completely take over the secondary health care sector.
“The Teaching Hospitals here are too congested. These places are meant for Research, Trainings and Learning. People should spend more time there doing their research and not spend time treating malaria and diarrhea. We have to take a closer look at our health system here. What do we do? We have to train more Family Physicians, they have places in the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary health care. But this secondary health care should be completely taken over by the Family Physicians. So we have to really make sure that these tiers of health services are properly maintain so thy will do the work they are supposed to do”.
On her part, Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Precious Gbenoel in her address commended Family across medical facilities in the state for their support in promoting Health Care in their host communities.
“Family Doctors as the first point of contact for patients seeking medical care, and providing continuous comprehensive care for all patients throughout their lives cannot be over emphasized. Family Doctors play a crucial role in promoting health care and well-being for the individuals and communities. Their dedication, compassion and expertise made them the heart of health care and a trusted source of support for both patients and their families.”
The Chairman of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Dr. Ozumba Lilian in her address said the theme for this year’s celebrate tilted “The Family Doctor: the Heart of Health Care”, is apt and timely.
She explained that the theme captures the central role of Family Doctors in delivering comprehensive, coordinated and continuous health care to the undifferentiated patients.
The Chairman LOC of the event, Colonel Dr J.I Akunne in his own goodwill message, said the World Family Doctor Day also offer opportunity for Family Physicians in Rivers State to come together to interact, brainstorm, unwind and renew existing collaborations, and establish new ones.
Highlight of the event include Award presentations to some personalities in Family Health sector. Other awardees include media personalities like Monica Ogwa, Blessing Oti who were awarded Ambassadors of Family Medicine.
Ahiakwo reported that other dignitaries who gave a goodwill message at the event include the Rives State Nigeria Medical Association Chairman Dr. Abbi and the the chairman of the Association of Nigeria Private Medical Practitioners Rivers State, Dr Joseph Olawuyi.
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