Esther Salifu
As part of measures to save patients from dying after surgery, the Society of Specialist in Airway Management Nigeria, (SSAM), has trained healthcare professionals on how to take care of patients with breathing issues.
The event which had medical professionals in attendance was centered on innovations through research in airway management and the influence in the advancement of airway management .
Speaking to journalist, the President of Society of Specialist Airway, Dr Aderonke Adesiyan, said before, people lacked the equipments necessary to manage patients with breathing abnormalities but now it is available to them at no cost.
Adesiyan said : “Airway management is about the fact that when you go for a surgery or you are unconscious, you are not able to control, how your breathing is, so we now have trained people to know how to help you , when you are in that situation, because somebody that cannot take in oxygen dies as we all know.
“With this trainings all health care professionals now know how to probably take care of patients, so they do not die with breathing abnormalities.
“Previously people didn’t have certain advance equipment but with this society we have been able to improve that and make it available to them at no cost at all on the generosity of our donors”.
On the organization achievement, she said through Dr. Daniel Tapia, and the Airway Development Incorporated Director for Africa, Dr Rabiu Mohammed and SSAM the society’s collaborations have led to the establishment of 30 well equipped simulation centres across the 6 geopolitical zones, Lagos and Abuja.
“The society’s collaborations have led to the establishment of 30 well equipped simulation centres across the 6 geopolitical zones, Lagos and Abuja. This feat was achieved through the outstanding generosity of Dr Daniel Tapia, the hard work of the Airway Development Incorporated Director for Africa, Dr Rabiu Mohammed and SSAM’s dependable Zonal and institutional airway leads nationwide.
“Now, all healthcare professionals can access airway management training and equipment within their zones,” she said.
According to Adesiyan, the theme of the conference: Emerging Tools For Contemporary Airway Management is to reflects the focus of the society; improvement in the practice of airway management in Nigeria through its various activities.
“It is important that we challenge healthcare workers in Nigeria to aim to improve their knowledge and skills so that they can deliver world class healthcare to our teeming population.
“After this conference, the society will be laying more emphasis on research and development of locally adaptable protocols and guidelines for airway management across Nigeria in collaboraton with other relevant society”, she added.
Also speaking on reasons for the creation of the organization, the Chairman of the Planing Committee, SSAM, Dr. Mayrose Osazuwa said it was created to fill a gap in Nigeria, as there is a need for an airway management society in Nigeria, to promote, teach and facilitate safe and standard airway management.
“Our achievements so far, and responses from the partcipants at our airway workshops and recipients of donated airway devices are testament that we are fulfilling our mission,” Osazuwa added.
She further expressed her excitement for hosting this year conference in Abuja.
The Chairman of the occasion Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud also pledged his support and also collaboration from all professionals health workers in Abuja.
Mamud said: Whatever it takes to assist these programs that you are going to do, we will define do , to support you in anyway we can.
“As for the National hospital we are open to any of the program you wish to do”
