By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Imo State Chapter, has emphasized the need for intensified public health education, early diagnosis and proper management of heart disease as part of efforts to reduce the growing burden of heart failure in Nigeria.
The call was made during the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM I) and Scientific Conference held on Saturday, August 1, at the Imo NMA Secretariat, off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.
Delivering a lecture titled: “Heart Failure: A Final Pathway of Heart Disease: Recognition, Economic Burden and Management,” a guest speaker, Dr. Nwako Okechukwu, said the presentation was aimed at reawakening medical doctors to their responsibility in health management and increasing awareness of the prevalence of the disease, which he described as a dangerous but preventable condition.
According to him, doctors must be able to recognize the signs of heart failure early and take appropriate measures to save lives.
“Heart failure is the last pathway of heart disease if left untreated. Heart failure is here with us and the burden of heart failure is much. We have economic burden, clinical and other burdens of heart failure,” he said.
Dr. Nwako, who is also a Senior Lecturer at the College of Medicine, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), attributed the high incidence of heart failure to several environmental and lifestyle factors, noting that hypertensive heart disease remains the leading cause of heart failure in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria.
He identified other causes to include coronary artery disease, diabetes, arrhythmia, stress and hereditary factors.
The cardiologist expressed concern over worsening socioeconomic conditions, which he said have pushed many Nigerians, especially young people, into drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, all of which 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, Dr. Nwako advocated intensified public health education, adoption of healthy lifestyles, regular physical exercise, smoking cessation, reduction in alcohol and salt intake, effective management of hypertension and diabetes, as well as seeking treatment only from licensed medical professionals.
He stressed that good health is essential for productivity, happiness and the realization of individual potential, while poor health results in loss of productivity, diversion of resources and absence of peace of mind.
The consultant also urged government at all levels 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.
He further charged medical doctors to remain committed to their professional calling by providing healthcare services with integrity, compassion and adherence to professional standards.
Earlier in his opening address, the Imo State NMA Chairman, Dr. Echeta Bartholomew, welcomed participants and appreciated them for attending the conference.
He 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 could not be overemphasized.
Dr. Echeta, alongside other members of the State Officers’ Committee, including the State Secretary, Dr. Ibekwe Nnaemeka Uzodimma, urged participants to maximize the opportunity to acquire new knowledge for both professional and personal development. He also commended the resource persons for their insightful and impactful presentations.
The scientific 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.
Another presentation, titled “Beyond the Stethoscope: Maxillofacial Surgery—A Mace and Maze of Misconceptions,” was delivered by Dr. Chikwendu Ejike, where he 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 (EXCO) Secretariat Report by the State Secretary, Dr. Ibekwe Nnaemeka Uzodimma, which received widespread commendation from members.
