An international charity organization under the auspices of Smile Train has ended a 4-day workshop organized at Classic Munich Hotel Umudim, Nnewi in Anambra State.
The event described as the basic life support and pediatric advanced life training was organized by Prof Titus Chukwuanukwu , a Professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Prof Chukwuanukwu is also a consultant on plastic surgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State. The event attracted a whole lot of resource persons.
The workshop was centered on cleft lip patients and cleft palate deformities, associated co- morbidity, speech problem, cardiac arrest problem and other related issues. Participants were examined at the event.
Speaking with journalists, Prof Chukwuanukwu expressed satisfaction that the participants received the training that would help and encourage them to handle patients with cleft lip and cleft palate deformities.
He disclosed that the non-governmental organization offered free surgery and medical treatment to all patients. Prof Chukwuanukwu revealed that the NGO had trained local and national healthcare professionals to manage cases in their countries.
He said that Smile Train had provided equipment to hospitals and supported indigent families of cleft patients all over the world. He also disclosed that Smile Train partners are more than fifty hospitals in Nigeria, adding that currently the training was for Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS)
He said that Smile Train partners with NAUTH, Nnewi and Dinma Specialist Hospital, Nnewi all in Anambra State to provide free surgery and other medical treatments.
One of the trainers, Miss Adaeze Muonyelu while speaking with the press said that the organization had provided funds and empowered local medical professionals to carry out cleft care in some countries of the world. She disclosed that the organization worked in partnership with the American Heart Association which she said had issued certificates to be given to the participants after the workshop to encourage them in their healthcare services as well as recognition.
Rev. Sis Dr Benedicta Maria Okoye from the Surgery Department NAUTH expressed gratitude to Smile Train for what she called advanced training and workshop on the cleft care and other related issues. She described the training as educative in the basic areas of medical profession.
The assistant trainer, Dr Ibrahim Salisu said that the aim of the organization was to provide surgical care and support patients with cleft lips and palate and also to train staff that would manage patients and provide capacity building in form of training her partners.
Dr Salisu urged the participants from the five States of South East zone to make good use of what they learnt in order to improve healthcare in the country.
