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Monday, March 31, 2014

School holds 5th lecture series


School Of Health Technology [SOHT], Federal University of Technology, Owerri held it 5th lecture series recently. The lecture was delivered by a renowned lecturer of department of public health, Dr. Uchechukwu Chukwuocha titled ‘Antimalarial drug resistance: Molecular considerations and implications for evidence based research in Nigeria’.

“Malaria is a disease of poverty and major hindrance to economic development” Said Chukwuocha and that notwithstanding the number of malaria deaths across the world, “the actual number deaths are not known with certainty, as accurate data unavailable in many rural areas and many cases are undocumented”.

On the factors that contribute to the spread of resistance he stated human behaviour-drug pressure due to complacency, indiscriminate drug usage and adulterated drugs; and biological influence as in pharmacokinetic of drugs and reaction with parasite, decreased immunity, malnutrition and cross reactivity with drugs for other ailments.

He therefore listed the tools that can be used to monitor drug resistance to include therapeutic efficacy test, in vitro studies of parasite susceptibility to drugs in culture, case detection, molecular methods of gene mutations or gene amplifications associated with parasite resistance.

He calls on the need for high-quality monitoring of antimalarial drug resistance, sustained funding and encouragement of high level research for routine monitoring, continuous surveillance of molecular drug resistance to inform better planning and effective/timely implementation of drug policies based on evidence which will help in the timely detection of resistance for any particular drug in use at any point in time so that changes in drug policy can be made in time, and there is need to routinely evaluate and update our malaria treatment policies.

In his remark, the Dean, School of Health Technology [SOHT] calls on the students to be committed and dedicated in their academic studies as the future of Africa lies in their hand, for Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis are the major diseases affecting Africa, so I encourage you to go into research in these and many more diseases.

The attractive part of the lecture is the issue of the advocacy by the lecturer for the return of Chloroquine and sickle cell patient’s malaria which drew a series of intellectual debate by scholars, whereby Dr. Sikiru Lamina, Dr Okorie, Engr Azeez and Prof A. N. Amadi brainstorm to the delight of student.

Mohammed Sani, Public health department, FUT, Owerri








Association Welcomes freshers

Association of Public Health Technology Students [APHETS] has held it ‘Health week, orientation & lectureship’ of new students of the department. The event that last four days, starts from raising awareness of the programme, to diabetes and HIV/AIDS screening, football match and lecture.

In his opening remark, the Dean, School of Health Technology [SOHT], Prof I. N. S. Dozie encouraged the students to lead by example by ensuring a green environment free of dirt’s and litter while paying attention to their academic studies.

In her speech, The immediate Associate Dean, SOHT, Prof S. T Oparaocha also advised the students to pay attention to their studies, not to hate their lecturers, relate well with their fellow students, and cultivate good moral, as university is meant to model a student morally and academically, hence, encourage them to  make hay while the sun shine.

The Head of Department, Public Health, Prof A. N. Amadi presents a paper titled ‘Sanitation and Hygiene: A panacea for a healthy living’, and also congratulates students for choosing a beautiful course anchored on promoting and protecting health, and prolonging life.

In the paper he presented, the immediate Dean, School of Health Technology, Prof C. O. Abanobi titled ‘Careers in Public Health’, he educate the students on the prospects of public health practice and challenges ahead. He therefore calls on the students to remain focus, committed and dedicated so that they can excel in their studies.

An award was given to Prof C. O. Abanobi, Prof S. T. Oparaocha and Prof A. N. Amadi for their various contributions to the department since inception, public and environmental health practice in the country and the world at large.

The representative of the Registrar, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria [EHORECON], Mr Lawrence Ohorozor call on the student that may choose environmental health and safety option to register with EHORECON after graduation by passing its examination before engaging in practice. He promised to offer automatic employment in his organization for the student that graduates with first class in Public Health.

During the programme, news was read by APHETS radio, an interview was aired by APHETS TV on diabetes, a song by Dr. Mrs. Nwafor, dance and entertainment take over for the enjoyment of the new students and others.

Onyema Kennedy one of the new students said “I learnt a lot in this orientation, from career in public health, diabetes, to sanitation & hygiene. I am proud to recommend public health course to my friends as their chosen field of study due to it wide prospects”. Mbadi-Igwe Kosisochukwu shared her opinion by saying “I learnt about my department and what it is all about, also the contribution I can make to public health practice. If I graduate, I will make an impact in my community, country and the world at large”.

For Chinenye Eze “I now know the careers in Public Health, the things you can practice after graduation, know about diabetes mellitus, it causes and how to control/prevent it. I am simply happy”.

The president of APHETS that organizes the programme, Comrade Osuji Miracle said on the orientation “it is to educate the new students on the their chosen course and what it is all about, considering some of them might have chooses it by chance. Also to let them know how public health department operates and relates with students so that they can maximize their potentials to excel in their new course of study”.

The event was attanded by other lecturers of the department like Dr Joakin Nwakoro, Dr. Chimezie Iwuala, and Dr Udiji.

Mohammed Sani, department of public health, FUT, Owerri