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Eke Advocates Reversed Medical Tourism In Nigeria 

The Coronavirus has foreclosed heavy “ reliance on overseas countries for medical services. The natural history of each disease varies from one geographical environment to another. Nigerian doctors should be empowered to study and treat their patients as well as visitors. It is time medical tourism is reversed.” Foremost Urologist in the Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Professor Ndubuisi Eke made this observation while delivering the 17 Valedictory Lecture on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Speaking via Zoom, Eke, whose Lecture was entitled “Quelling the Riotous Dysfunction in the Water Works, The Case of Trauma and Prostate Gland”, explained that the topic “was chosen to cover two important aspects of urological practice (water works) that occupied our attention in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in the last 35 years”. Disclosing that the most prevalent acquired lesions that affect men occur in the prostate, Eke noted that “the prostate gland is described as a walnut size gland that lies with its base at the bladder outlet and its apex continuing as the urethra in the male,” adding that its function is speculated to be the production of fluid that nourishes the semen.         “Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy is prevalent in men from 50 years of age. It is not life threatening unless it has complications. It does not metastasize. The complications arise from obstruction of urine. This may lead to poor kidney function and failure if treated in time. The treatment is medical with medicines (alpha blockers) or with surgery, prostatectomy open or endoscopically transurethal resection of prostate (TURP), using resectoscope,” he explained.  Pointing out that half patients that they see in the Urology Unit were afflicted with prostate cancer, Eke disclosed that the treatment is not affordable to the average senior civil servant who has to pay from his pocket, adding that the treatment is largely palliative except for cases diagnosed early and treated by radical prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy. “Early diagnosis can be made from screening or incidentally when managing a different illness and the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is checked,” he further explained. Speaking after the Lecture, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen Okodudu, who was represented by the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Professor Iyeopu Siminialayi, commended Professor Eke for his contribution to the medical profession. He thanked him for mentoring younger colleagues and contributing the growth of Urological practice, UPTH and the University.

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