Life Institute for Endoscopy, Nnewi calls for Medical Doctors, trains 200 doctors on Minimal Access Surgery

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Umudim-Nnewi based Life Institute for Endoscopy has conducted training for about 200 medical doctors from across Nigeria on basic course in minimal access surgery since its inception in 2010.

At its 19th Basic Course in Minimal Access Surgery organized by the Institute weekend, 24 medical doctors across Nigeria participated in the 5 day training session where they were exposed hands on in minimal access surgery.

Course Director of Life Institute for Endoscopy, Nnewi, Nigeria, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu pointed out that the institute has a vision of providing quality training, excellent treatment and development of minimal access surgery in Nigeria and indeed the entire African continent. He said the Institute has the mission of spreading the awareness and practice of minimal access surgery(MAS) all over the country through training, treatment, support and equipment supplies.

Prof Ikechebelu noted that the institute started training in September 2010 with five participants and that the institute has so far trained one hundred and fifty eight doctors, thirty seven nurses, one anesthetist, two technicians and one engineer before the last training which has all twenty-four medical doctors.

"Our training is currently approved by World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons, and among our laudable achievements is the carrying out of the first Laparoscopic Myomectomy in South-East of Nigeria.

In his own comment, the chairman of the closing ceremony, Prof OO Mbonu while congratulating the participants for being part of the training on minimal access at Life Institute For Endoscopy urged them to put what they learnt into practice when they get back to their base.

Prof Mbonu encouraged the participants to endeavor to get the advanced training on minimal access surgery which according to him is the in-thing now in surgery and that any doctor that fails to get the training would be left behind.

The Anambra state Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Akabuike said the unique elementary nature of the training makes it a prerequisite for any other training even as he passionately urged the participants to tell others about the program.

Dr Akabuike pledged the support of the administration of Chief Willie Obiano to Life Institute by offering subsidies for patients who may want to be part of the next training.

He however at the occasion urged medical doctors to shun the temptation to embark on strike at the slightest opportunity which according to him has started giving doctors bad name in the society.

Dr Bernard Udoji, Dr Uche Augustine and Dr Charles Nzurumike got different awards for distinguishing themselves during the five day training.

Other trainees, Dr Obinna Ezugwu from Tarfa Balewa University Teaching Hospital; Dr Olarewaju Michael, President, ARD, Azokoro District Hospital FCT and Dr Nnamdi Henry, a senior registrar at Federal Medical Center Owerri as well as Dr Louis Nwajiaku of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi both commended the Course Director, for his passion toward spreading the knowledge of minimal access surgery in the country.

All the participants who spoke with www.odogwublog.com said in unison that there is urgent need for the government to partner with Life Institute For Endoscopy, Nnewi, Anambra state so that the scope and the venue of the training can be expanded.
Photo of Prof Ikechebelu, Prof Mbonu , Dr Akabuike and Prof Udigwe, Dean College of Medicine, Nnewi