Health Compass Initiative Summit 2023
On the 27th of May 2023, the Health Campus Initiative held its Second Annual Summit on NCDs at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Conference themed “The Impact of NCDs on the Nigerian Health System”.
Compounding the burden of Communicable diseases in Low and Middle Income countries (LMICs) including countries in Western Sub-Saharan Africa like Nigeria, is the concomitant rise in the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This summit, therefore, was aimed at providing an objective assessment of the current state of the Nigerian Health System, what prior changes have been made to accommodate NCDs and what prospective changes need to be made — globally, nationally and at a regional level to address NCDs.
The event had in attendance Associate Professor Christie Akwaowo, a Consultant Public Health Physician, Health Policy Specialist, Medical Researcher, Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Fellow; Dr. Ubong Umoren, a Seasoned Endocrinologist and Dr. Godwin Aniekop, a renowned Psychiatrist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
Associate Professor Christie Akwaowo lectured attendees on the current state of NCDs globally as well as in Nigeria. She also addressed various concerns within the local landscape — the need to improve implementation of health policies, the relatively wide knowledge-practice gap on prevention of NCDs. She praised the efforts of the Health Compass Initiative on increasing awareness on NCDs amongst other efforts to tackle the burden of NCDs across both an international and local landscape.
Dr. Ubong Umoren, advocated for increased Random blood sugar testing of patients who present to the outpatient departments for early detection of Diabetes Mellitus.
Dr. Godwin Aniekop, a seasoned psychiatrist raised concerns over the increasing incidence of mental disorders and the need for prioritization of mental health in local hospitals as they are a major contributor to the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
As part of the event, Associate Professor Christie Akwaowo was awarded a Certificate of Honour for her immense and selfless contributions towards the growth of the organization. Along with this, 14 new members were inducted into Health Compass with presentation of Certificates by the Health Compass President, Inimfon Inyang.
The Health Compass Initiative will continue to push boundaries towards reducing the burden of NCDs through boisterous awareness programs like the World Hypertension Day, World Heart Day, World Diabetes Day as well as collaboration with major stakeholders at various levels.
