KMDA SURGICAL MISSION & OUTPOURING OF GOODWILL: TIME FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT?
I wish to express thanks once again to KirikeBeSe Medical Doctors Association (KMDA), in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria for the success of another Surgical Mission at Okrika General Hospital where about 80 people of different ages received free surgical treatment: TAHs, myomectomies, herniorrhaphies, etc. In a country where there is no free healthcare, the profound gratitude comes from beyond the immediate beneficiaries and their families but the entire Wakirike people at home and abroad. Our ‘Se’ is in dire need of such pace-setting and altruistic ideals.
To that effect, I wonder if the time has come for a paradigm shift? Can we look beyond the surgical, high risk approach to health and become agents of change for Population Health in our neck of the woods?
Four key influences on health are outlined below:
1. Age, Sex & Constitutional factors (our genes)
2. Individual lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, rest)
3. Social & Community factors
4. General socioeconomic, cultural and environmental condition
Agriculture and food production
Education
Work environment
Living and working conditions
Unemployment
Water & Sanitation
Health Care Services
Housing
Here are specific, easily achievable suggestions beginning from our comfort zone.
Healthcare Services: How can KMDA influence the provision of health services in Kirike Be Se?
Several years ago, I attended a meeting hosted by Chief Aprioku in which it was decided that every one of us should provide oversight activities in one Wakirike Primary Health Centre. There was good report from Primary Health Centre, Ogan Ama. Could any good practice from there be replicated in other Health Centres? Furthermore, is it possible for our Consultants and Registrars to formally support the medical doctors working at Okrika General Hospital and our Health Centres, even once a month to improve their knowledge and skills while they serve our people? KMDA could establish an MOU with the relevant state or local government agencies.
From Surgical Mission to Health Outreach?
Can we broaden the scope of our intervention and co-opt others? This would mean a wider collaboration with Nurses, Dentists, Opticians & Optometrists, Audiologists, Nutritionists, etc. and specific roles for Public Health Practitioners and General Practitioners.
Stakeholder Involvement
As difficult as it is to get people who are appointed, elected and/or paid to provide the services which are provided gratis by KMDA, we MUST get them on board!
1. Politicians – LGA Chairmen, Councillors, Members of House of Assembly, House of Reps, Senator, Wakirike Commissioners & DGs of MDAs
2. Rivers State Ministry of Health
3. Other Health professionals
4. Other Wakirike Professionals – journalists, bloggers, etc.
5. Wakirike Entrepreneurs
6. Youth & Women Leaders
7. Community Development Organisations
8. Wakirike-serving NGOs
9. Kings & Chiefs
10. Church Leaders
It would be a good idea to set up a KMDA Health Outreach Group with involvement of some representatives of the aforementioned stakeholders. This Group can work throughout the year developing a network of participants while KMDA focuses on the medical/surgical aspects of future outreaches. One foresees other interventions e.g. coordinated response to the environmental pollution (air, water and vegetation) from the community destructive practices of the oil industry. A wider Population Health Management may be an attractive offshoot of such a paradigm shift.
If KMDA ultimately becomes a catalyst for addressing the wider community development issues which underpin the health of our people then our Surgical Missions would have hit the nail on the head.
With very best wishes and personal regards.
Abiye Hector-Goma
Partner, Allerton Medical Centre, Leeds, U.K.
