‘The Panacea for Treatment and Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Resource Constrained Communities’ PPSN SOUTH-EAST ZONE
‘The Panacea for Treatment and Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Resource Constrained Communities’ PPSN SOUTH-EAST ZONE
The members of the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria South-East zone rose from their 2nd Annual symposium held from the 8th to 11th May 2014 at Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State Nigeria with this communique:
COMMUNIQUE ON THE 2ND ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM OF PARASITOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (PPSN), SOUTH-EAST ZONE, HELD FROM 8TH TO 11TH MAY 2024 AT MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE UMUDIKE, ABIA STATE NIGERIA
Introduction
The second PPSN South-East symposium was held at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Abia State, from Wednesday, 8th May to Saturday, 11th May, 2024. The theme of the symposium was ‘Ethnomedical Heritage: The Panacea for Treatment and Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Resource Constrained Communities’. The symposium also featured Exhibition, for Science, Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Interestingly, over hundred (100) persons registered for the symposium.
Opening ceremony
The symposium proper began with an opening ceremony that started at about 12 noon on Thursday, 9th May 2024. Opening prayer was said and the following persons at the high table were introduced: Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe (Vice Chancellor MOUAU), Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic MOUAU, Bursar MOUAU,Mr Ugochukwu Ironkwe. Prof. I. N. S. Dozie (Vice-Chancellor Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU) Imo State) ably represented by Prof. Cosmas Ujowundu of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Commissioner of Education Abia State, Prof.Uche Eme-Uche, ably represented by Mrs. Ubani, Prof . N. M. Orji (PPSN SE Zonal Coordinator) and Prof. O. M. Ukpai (PPSN Abia State Branch). The opening ceremony featured the following: singing of anthems (National, MOUAU and PPSN anthems), reading of the PPSN National President (Prof Sammy Sam-Wobo)’s address and South east Zonal Coordinator’s address by Prof. N. M. Orji, and The Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe’s opening speech in which he declared the symposium open. There was also cutting of cake, with all the dignitaries and representatives from the invited schools present.
Keynote Address
The keynote speaker, Professor I. N. S. Dozie, the Vice-Chancellor of KOMU Imo State gave an intensive lecture on “Ethnomedical Heritage: The Panacea for Treatment and Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Resource Constrained Communities”. He emphasized the need for continued effort in the control/elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) so that the socio-economic problems associated with them can be averted in our communities. He highlighted the role of plants/herbs in the treatment and control of NTDs.
Lead paper presentations
The first lead paper was presented by Rev. Sr. Prof. Evangeline Oparaocha on the topic: ‘Medical Tourism, and its Brain Drain: Threats to Disease Control, Elimination and Eradication’. She stressed that medical tourism which is the practice of individuals travelling to another country for medical treatment to seek advance health care services, thrives in Nigeria. She stated that the major causes of medical tourism among Nigerians are: inadequate health care infrastructure, unavailability of specialized medical procedures, and poor quality of health care among others. She equally called to attention that medical tourism cause brain drain, thereby posing significant challenge to disease control efforts in Nigeria. Prof. D. N. Aribodor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka Anambra State presented the second lead paper via Google Meet. The topic of his presentation was ‘Science, Technology and Innovation: A Road Map for Mitigating Youth Migration from Nigeria’. He pointed out that innovation can either be in form of changing processes or creating more effective processes from already existing products and ideas. He equally added that Science, Technology and Innovation are very instrumental to the development of functional society.
Exhibitions for Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
There was research exhibition by secondary school students from Basic Foundation School Aba, May Fair Umuahia and Divine Rays Obosi. Assessment of the students’s exhibition was conducted by a team led by Dr. C. M. Egbuche of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. The scoring criteria used were: Creativity (40%), Innovation (30%), Benefits (20%) and Application for use (10%). Certificate frames were given to the schools according to their performances: May Fair Umuahia (1st position, 78%), Divine Rays Obosi (2nd position, 74%) and Basic Foundation School Aba (3rd position, 71%). In addition, each participating school was given exercise books and biros.
Special recognitions
During the symposium, special recognition was given to the following persons: Prof. Ogonna Christiana Ani, Prof. Ifeoma Mercy Ekejindu, Prof. Anthonia Nnenna Amadi, Rev’d. Prof. Chigbo M. U. Ajaero, Prof. Onyinye Mkpoola Ukpai, Lady Uchenna Regina Okafor, Engr. Amaoge Obi-Ekwe and Prof. Denchris Nnabuike Onah. They all received Plaque of appreciation for their contributions towards the growth of PPSN. In their responses, financial and verbal acknowledgements were given by the distinguished persons who were recognized.
Cocktail party
There was a sumptuous cocktail party at the end of the first day of the symposium. This took place at the University Guest House Umudike and the host was Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU.
Scientific session
The scientific session featured both oral and poster presentations. A total of five (5) posters were mounted, presented and assessed. Prof. Denchris Nnabuike Onah, Prof. Ifeoma Ekejindu and Dr. N. A. Kamalu were the assessors for the poster presentation. The winner of the poster presentation was Uhiara, Stella Chinonyerem (the presenter of Abstract number 36), who was later appreciated by the zone with a cash donation. Oral presentations were made with a total of seven (7) papers presented. The oral presentation was assessed by a panel chaired by Prof. Ifeoma Ekejindu. Other members were Prof Denchris Nnabuike Onah and Dr. Ojide. The major highlight of the scientific session was a proposal by Prof. Denchris Nnabuike Onah to give a talk on power point / poster preparation and presentation in our next symposium.
Closing
The symposium ended with an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the PPSN South East Zone, that started at 2.48pm on Friday, 10th May 2024.
Recommendations
In the course of the symposium, the following recommendations were made:
There should be improved access to health care by communities in hard to reach areas.
Government should ensure that the quality of health care services in Nigeria is improved by establishing adequate health care infrastructures with highly specialized health care procedures, in Nigeria.
There should be detailed research on traditional medicine, so that its use in the treatment of NTDs and other ailments can be standardized.
Government should ensure adequate financing / funding of health, science, technology and innovation programmes.
Examination malpractice should be shunned so that the fallen standard of education in Nigeria would be raised and sustained.
There is need for development of many skill acquisition centers in different locations within Nigeria.
Government and political actors should consider science, technology and innovations a priority and appreciate their roles in mitigating youth migration.
Different organizations and Institutions in Nigeria should create working groups and strategic committees for effective networking and partnership with international bodies.
Signed
Prof Nkeiruka. M.Orji fwapcmls,fppsn
PPSN,South East Coordinator