Osun State medical experts highlighted the importance of diagnostic investigations in healthcare practice.
At the third biennial conference for primary health care providers and traditional midwives in Irewole, Isokan and Ayedaade federal constituencies of Osun State, experts noted that conducting diagnostic investigations would provide doctors with a clearer understanding of patients’ conditions.
During the event held at the Olupele Hall in Ikire on Thursday, the coordinator, Adeyemi Adeniji, shared that the conference, which started in 2021, aims to keep doctors updated on current trends in the medical field.
He also highlighted that the program has had a significant impact on traditional birth attendants, health workers and doctors within the federal constituency.
According to Adeniji, more than 100 participants, including traditional midwives, primary health care providers, nurses and doctors, benefited from the conference.
Adeniji said: “This conference started in 2021 and the participants have gained a lot. This program has updated them and improved their practices. It has always kept them abreast of current trends in medical practice.
“This program has had a significant impact on traditional midwives, health workers and even doctors.
Furthermore, Adeniji lamented the level of quackery in the profession, noting that he established a diagnostic center in Ikire so that people around him would have access to quality diagnostic services.
“There has been a lot of quackery and that prompted me to appoint a diagnostic center in Ikire and Apomu so that my people have access to quality diagnostic services,” he noted.
However, he said: “What we have been doing to address quackery is using this program to sensitize healthcare workers to the limitations of their work and the scope of their practice.”
One of the specialists, Dr. Samuel Obasade, who spoke under the title “From symptoms to effective treatment: the importance of diagnostic investigations in healthcare practice”, said diagnostic investigations cannot be underestimated in modern medicine.
According to him, “the importance of diagnostic investigations is a part of modern medicine that cannot be underestimated. If you want to treat patients, the importance of investing cannot be underestimated.”
“Most of the time, 70 percent of what we do for patients is determined by research. So it’s a part of medicine that can’t be left out.”
Dr. Obasade noted that to eradicate quackery, there is need for government and security agencies to adopt adequate legislation and law enforcement.
“To eradicate quackery, there is a need for real legislation and enforcement of laws by the government and security agents,” he said.
Dr. Obasade added that the challenges facing diagnostic investigations in Nigeria are “the cost and availability of certain investigations in our different localities. Some patients do not have the money for investigations.”
One of the participants, Oyetade Aderemi, who congratulated the organiser, said the conference had a positive impact on him.
Aderemi, who is a nurse, said: “Laboratory investigation is key to obtaining a positive result in the treatment of our patients. Many people treat patients without investigating what is wrong, so it is important to investigate before treating any patient. Many emergency cases are happening and this conference has taught us how to address these emergencies.”
Additionally, a participant who identified herself as Ashifat Fatihah said she learned how to handle emergency cases and use basic methods to prevent complications for patients.
However, he said the government should do more to provide necessary facilities, especially for primary health care providers.
READ MORE FROM: Newslodge