Chemical pathologist urges medical practitioners to embrace emerging technologies

Nigerian medical practitioners have been called upon to embrace cross-fertilisation and exchange of knowledge and expertise as ways to break barriers in the management of patients.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of his retirement and 70th birthday anniversary in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, at the weekend, former chairman of the National Committee of Provosts of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Adekunle Okesina, identified cross-fertilisation of ideas among practitioners as a way to effectively manage patients.

According to him, this approach will help in the creation of new ideas, improved devices, and breakthroughs in research.

He observed that since doctors from different practices had to work together, cross-fertilisation of ideas could lead to improvement in practice.

Okesina also said that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among practitioners is key in resolving some challenges in the management of patients in Nigeria.

The Chemical Pathologist, who was a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, also charged medical practitioners to embrace emerging technologies in the medical field, especially local ones.

Earlier in his lecture, the immediate past Provost, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University,
Professor Simeon Adebisi described Chemical Pathology as a branch of pathology dealing with the biochemical basis of disease.

He said the branch of the medical field deals with the use of biochemical tests for screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and management.

His lecture was entitled “Roles and Responsibilities of Chemical Pathologists in the Concept of Multidisciplinary Team Approach in the Management of Patients.”.

Adebisi also advised medical doctors in Nigeria to embrace emerging technologies in the management of patients.

“The truth of the matter is that worldwide now, the direction that medical care is going is what we call a multidisciplinary patient care approach.

“In other words, gone are the days in which a doctor would sit down in one corner and want to manage all aspects of a patient’s disorder.

“You bring in the different specialities, and you form a team so that you can put your minds together,” he said.

The expert explained that doctors need to bring different speciality skills to the table, adding that this will give a better understanding of procedures and consistent and appropriate intervention.

“And the patient comes out of their problem in a better way. So that’s actually the way to go,”  he said.

In his keynote speech, Professor John Obafunwa, the Director-General (D-G) of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), described the celebrant, Professor Adekunle Okesina, as a generally simple, brilliant, and humble person.

“He was generally reserved. What I respect about him is his brilliance and understanding of the subject matter.

“In the next phase of his life, I wish him the very best when he has excelled in the course of his career. I’m sure he will excel as well.

“I wish him a long life, good health, and a long life to see his children and grandchildren,” he said.

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