From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Dr. Camellus Ezeugwu, an Interventional Cardiologist and founder of Heart Diseases Prevention and Training Center, Nsukka, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State has attributed the incessant heart-related diseases to negligence and lack of information on how to maintain heart-healthy lifestyle.
Ezeugwu, an assistant professor of Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Maryland, United States of America disclosed this to newsmen Nsukka on Saturday during a training workshop he organised for managements and staff of the hospital.
He said that heart related disease is a collection of diseases and conditions that causes cardiovascular problems to human body, adding that it can be preventable in most people with early adoption healthy lifestyle habits.
According to him “prevention is the most cost effective and most life saving approach to healthcare when you come to heart related diseases and that was why i established heart disease and training center here in Nsukka to help residents of the area.
“The inspiration to set up this facility was dated back to early 1972 as a young boy in Nsukka community when I made a decision that I will become a medical doctor in future, so with that in my memory i thought it wise to give back to them through the establishment of the hospital.
“The greatest benefit Nsukka residents and others who would assess the hospital will get is the understanding of concept of prevention. There are diseases that are quiet preventable that kills a lot of people in this area, especially high blood pressure and diabetes.
“This two diseases carries with them complication that affects many aspects of the body which most time results stroke, blindness, kidney and heart failures, among others, but could be prevented with adequate application of medical preventive measures.
“Again the notion by some people that when they have high blood pressure, that if the number comes down the BP is cured, that is not how it happens. Our target is to get people to understand that they need to come here and see doctor on a routine basis and manage their condition, that will help them reduce the chances of having stroke, kidney and heart failures or dying suddenly,” he said.
Speaking further, the cardiologist noted that the hospital was set up and equipped with modern high-tech medical equipment with qualified personnel, adding that consultation charge and other services are affordable.
He maintained that the retraining workshop was a routine practice in the organisation to ensure that management and staff are updated to the best practice for effective and efficiency service delivery.
Also speaking, Dr Francis Asogwa, a cardiologist and medical director of the hospital said that the hospital which was established a year ago has witnessed increment in patronage which he said has helped them in achieving their main goals of preventing heart diseases.
He said that they will sustain their policy of going to villages, churches and markets to sensitise the residents on how to prevent and manage heart related diseases.
The resource person, Mr Victor Aguchie said that staff and management team where tutored on security awareness, facility and information managements, human resource, policy and procedures, ethics and protocols, among others.
Mrs Celine, the wife Camellus Ezeugwu, Amarachi Ibeh, legal consultant to the hospital, among others were present during the training program.