Announcement: Doctors Quarter's Blog Now Becomes DoctorsQuarters.com

Dear DQB readers, I have finally made the swap from blogger to WordPress. WordPress offers real time bloggers a professional feel and touch. So I was advised, by professionals,  to make the change and I have done it.

My old URL, Doctorsquarter.blogspot.com, has been transformed into, Doctorsquarters.com
I intend to harvest my old works from this old site unto my new site.
I now have a new logo and favicon accompanying this switch. My new slogan is Be Informed..... Stay Healthy

I will not fail to thank my ardent readers for standing with me and checking out my blog, for better performance.
I thank Emeka Obia for his kind words and his far reaching advice. He blogs on Emeka_talks.com
I thank George of Penstrap.com for his dedication and understanding while he designed by blog. Guys you need to patronise George of Penstrap.com He is just too good.
Finally I thank my family and friends for the understanding and support so far...

As we continue on this new pedestal, doctorsquarters.com I believe we are moving from strength to strength. Keep reading Doctorsquarters.com

Madonna University Med Students Field Trip To RECDOT - Inspiring Story and Sights!!

I actually saw a colleague wipe a tear from her eye. It was on our first field trip in this department. We began our Community Medicine Rural and Urban posting yesterday. It was the first class outing in a series of scheduled outings. It is also part of academic events we are to undertake before we would be qualified for the MBBS Professional Degree. So you can imagine our expectations on this first trip.

In the heart of a South Eastern Nigeria Town, Owerri, for this is where our pristine hostel accommodation is located, we set out for our trip.
Our destination was the Rehabilitation Centre for The Disable, Old and Tramps (RECDOT), Ozubulu in Ekwusigo LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Madonna University Set To Graduate/Induct Another Batch of Doctors.

A loyal DQB Reader sent in this news through my email. It happens that the prestigious Madonna University officially released its 5th MBBS final result.

I gathered that over 60 students out of over 100 students, passed the crucial exam that would qualify them to be members of the Medical and Dental Council and to be able to practice medicine and Surgery in Nigeria.

Congratulations to the successful candidates!!!
More details as events unfold...

Outside Clinical Experience Is A Criteria For Would-Be Doctors

After this morning's orientation talk from the leadership of my institution, to members of community medicine class billed to have an 'outside' posting, I am left with no other shred of doubt in my mind that this external posting is for the best.

A colleague walked up to me, just before the commencement of the crucial meeting, looking disturbed.

He said, 'what do you think the VC is calling us for'. In my usual chatty self, I replied, 'To brief us on the latest developments just before we depart for posting'.

And he made that statement that most of us never understood, even up till. 'Is it compulsory that we should go for this external posting.' It struck me!!
I had thought that most of my colleagues will be thrilled to be posted to a rural settlement, to get first hands-on experience as regards to patients/doctor working relationship. The scope of this particular posting includes scheduled free trips to other health facilities. Also while on this posting, we are expected to get data and other materials that would facilitate a good project work and subsequent project defence.

His grudge is that we waste so much time in a departmental posting that would amount to nothing in our future practice. I tried dissuading his mind from such notion, but he was adamant.

After the pep-talk from the VC, the Provost of the College and The Head of Department of Community medicine, it became clearer to him, the relevance of this venture. An all important venture at that. I think what struck him most, amongs many points made, was when we were reminded that we cannot get our MBBS certificate if we fail in this posting.

We leave in a matter of hours for our Rural and Urban Posting. I know it is an important exercise, if not for me but for the patients we would meet while in the field. Though the area we are posted to is a small sleepy village, in Imo State Nigeria, I intend to get myself truly involved.

I must not fail to sound a heart felt warm regards to The Founder of the Prestigious Madonna University, Very Rev Fr EMP Edeh, CSSP OFR. as he marked his birthday yesterday, 20th May 2015. 

Diet And You: How "Nuts" Are Helpful In A Weight Loss Program

You are what you eat. Always bear this in mind. Our day to day food makeup, ultimately have a way of shapening our body (internally and externally). In this article, we would take out time to analyze different variety of food, its beneficial and its deleterious effect to humans. The body image we portray have a direct relationship to healthy diet recipes.

Generally, nuts are good sources of nutrient. This is especially so in persons on a weight reduction program. Weight loss diets that include nuts are often more effective than diets devoid of nuts supplementation.

Peanuts is a case in point. Being a low calorie food, peanut consumption is proven to be beneficial in a weight loss program.

A 2008 review, as published in the Journal of Nutrition, reports that, when consumed in moderation, nuts do not pose a threat for weight gain. Peanuts are packed with nutrients, including fibre, proteins and heart-healthy fats.

Proteins and fibres help to increase satiety, which makes it easier to control our overall Calorie intake during weight loss program. Furthermore, proteins helps the body to burn out excessive calories. This is according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, 2008 and 2010 reviews.
The Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes that, "regular nut consumption is associated with increased energy expenditure."

It is important to note that, though peanuts provide several benefits during weight loss, they are still high in calories. Therefore, overindulging in nuts can prevent weight loss initially but may result in weight gain. So, moderation is the key to getting the benefits from nuts.

Note however, that salted nuts are high in sodium; a major predisposition to abnormal elevation of blood pressure and heart disease. It is therefore imperative, to choose a moderate amount of unsalted peanuts whenever possible. You better be 'nuts' when it comes to your dieting.

Faith Omas Ebony is a Final Year Clinical student. She originally sent in this article as a writer for Doctors Quarter's Blog.

7 Health Benefits of Avocado Pears To Nigerians

I saw some beautiful Avocados stacked up in the fruit store some weeks back and I have always wondered what it really constituted. What health benefit is it to an average Nigerian who love to eat Rice garnished with Avocado pear,
Then I saw this beautiful article on Medical Daily.... I thought I should share as well...

The health benefit of Avocado pears include;

Meet Dynamic and Cosmopolitan DQB reader Smith SKD

He is a popular figure in the medical community. He is special to this blog, being an avid reader and contributor. He is Smith Obinwenite Kafors, aka SKD. He is a final year clinical student at the prestigious Madonna University.
He is our featured post for today.

On this day he says, "Today as I clock plus one, I wish to thank My Father in Heaven, My dear Family and Friends.... I thank all my well wishers and all people of goodwill in my life"
"My wish for today for the world is; The sooner you realise life is not a competition, the better you don't try to impress. Just be yourself."
He hopes to be consultant physician cum industrialist per excellence....

Happy Birthday Smith, The King of The World.... See more stunning photos below

Dressing Style In A Hospital - Packaging is Key For Us!!!

A shirt, a pair of trouser, a belt, a pair of shoes, a wrist watch, a tie, a clinical coat.... This is what most male clinical students set aside, as our dress style on every working day. The colour, cut or design is usually individual specific except for some College of Medicine, where the dress code is a white shirt and a black pair of trousers. It is a hard order to call, for most beginners.

A lot is required from clinical students in a typical Nigerian university. The motto for us here in our facility is 'Read hard, Eat hard, Sleep hard, Work hard, and Play hard.' The 5-Hards.
This is the summation of the life of a clinical student, although not particularly in that order and of course, of different intensity.
It is hard work for us to keep up to this code. But looking back, as i m in my final clinical year, it was worth it. Dressing has always been about packaging. For some, it is purely about upbringing; for other it is about picking a model but for me it has been about personal choice and strict training to keep up to the dressing code.

Anaesthesiologist Are Best Paid In USA - Forbes

In a tweet earlier today, Forbes have named some specialties in Medicine as the best paid profession in the USA. Unbelievable isn't it....

NMA Annual Conference/ Annual Delegate Meeting; THE ROOT 2015

The Nigeria Medical Association is billed to have its 55th Annual Delegate Meeting/ Annual General Conference on 17th - 24th of May 2015. This year's conference, tagged "The Roots 2015", has as its Theme - THE NIGERIAN HEALTH SECTOR: CURRENT TRENDS, BURNING ISSUES AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.
Venue; International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

The high point of the conference would be charting a pathway for the current in-fighting in the health sector.

'I Pronounce Him Dead' - The Burden For Doctors

The accident and emergency unit, AnE, of any hospital can be terrifying especially for clinical students. AnE can be said to be synonymous to death, mostly when patients are rushed in from road traffic accidents. It is a horrific site. In one of my posting, as it is on most days, doctors and nurses struggle to save the lives, as many as can be saved. Forms are filled, with EMERGENCY, boldly inscribed on it as it is horridly dispatched to the laboratory. The laboratory know exactly what to do because, they follow precisely what is asked for on the form.

Meanwhile, all efforts back at the AnE, is channeled to save as much as could be saved. The Advanced Trauma Life Support is what is employed in salvaging life in the field. Other principles employed in this instance is the surgical Triage, a colour system where patients are graded according to severity and available resources. It is particularly helpful in multiple trauma situations.

Most times, the efforts of the health staff and the prayers of relative yield results. Under constant monitoring, the patient is watched as he stabilizes, before he is transferred to the main surgical ward for complete recuperation. His place is no more in the AnE ward, a place always in a constant flux.
But at other times, patients are lost. No matter the efforts, the advanced procedures, or even the prayer of relatives, some are lost.

I have always hated this period. Whenever a patient is lost in this way, like in other ways, is not an easy thing to say. To pronounce one dead can be a heavy burden to carry, at least that is how one of my teachers describes it. Some doctors could be in denial state for a long time before coming to terms that truly this one is lost. Doctors would not pronounce a patient dead until some conditions are met. This may include, no pulse, no response in pupillary light reflex, peripheral reflexes are lost, no cardiac activity etc. On satisfying this criteria can the call of death be pronounced and the time of death noted. It is normal practice for the most experienced, most senior doctor to reveal this message to the relatives. It could be sad indeed.

This burden is one that most doctors would agree they do not carry lightly. Most doctors may seem to carry it so well while other know this as a one of their weak points. A lot is expected of doctors but it would not be out of place to know that a doctor bears this unique burden, and daily, it is one too many..

Is Liberia Free Of The Ebola Disease?

It is breaking news. It is still trending on twitter. The world is happy. West Africa is happy. Liberia is happy. The good news was as handed down to the country. LIBERIA IS EBOLA FREE. To many this translates to no more death in the West African nation, but to others it is simply a good turn of events for their businesses, especially foreign businesses.

A country is declared free of an epidermic disease, after 42 days of no new recorded cases. Other West African nations, like Nigeria and Sierra Leone,  have long been declared free of the disease. But the epidermics continued unabated in Liberia. I would not want to enter in any blame game but something was definitely wrong for the disease to have lasted this long, in a country whose neighbours put the same epidermics under check.

Considering the pathogenesis of the Ebola Disease, it's mode of transmission, hold the key to explaining what happened in Liberia.

Yes, the country has been declared Ebola free by the World Health Organisation. 

Yes, the President of Liberia is billed to go on a tour of the capital to thank health workers for their bravery during the scourge.

But more proactive preventive measures and protocols must still be activated to ensure this disease do not come up again.

Basic personal hygiene and environmental sanitation hygiene, should be encouraged in Liberia. A cue must be taken from other nations like Nigeria, that understood and acted almost immediately. All preventive measures and protocols are still active, albeit on a lower degree, in Nigeria.

I know in some private university in Nigeria, like the Madonna University, hand washing and other measures are still on, even though Nigeria has been considered Ebola free.

Ebola is transmitted via any body fluid from person to person. Major symptoms include, high grade fever, greater than 39 degrees centigrade. Others are vomiting, generalised body weakness, blood oozing out from orifices, and some neurological manifestations like fainting, headache etc. Avoid eating bush meat, bat meat, especially poorly cooked meat.

As the disease is not transmitted in the early manifestations of this symptoms, anybody with any of this sign should be rushed to the hospital for proper care.

Liberia has been declared free, but vigilance must be the key word. Health personnels must have a high index of suscipicion, to be able to diagnose this disease. Patients must not hesitate  to report to the hospital.

 If you ask me, we are never truly free of this disease, especially when those basic preventive measures and protocols are long forgotten.

Liberia should take note of this.

MDCN Sets Up-to-date Payment of Practising Fee As Criteria for Accreditation Success.

The Supervisory body for the regulation of activities of practising doctors in the country, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, have sent out a circular to all teaching hospital, medical centres, and specialised hospital about the updated criteria for a success in any accreditation or re-accreditation activity in the Country.

A Loyal DQB reader sent this in...

Even Final Year In Medical School Can Be Tough

Yes!! From the first day in medical school, I have always been reminded of the peculiarity of my chosen course of study in Med School. My parents, friends, and even my Internet buddies all seem to have a word or two as to how best I can be a good medical student.

I remembered my first year in school, our botany lecturer, a Cameroonian, would remind us all that medical science is not for the lilly hearted. He would go on to advice, that it was better we honourably leave the Medicine and Surgery Department, than being shown the way out. While some changed ship into other 'less catastrophic department', for that was what he called it, others like me decided to take the bull by the horn and forge ahead.

Another Gallant Officer Dies in Sambisa Forest.

He is Lt. MI Musa. A gallant and fearless Officer of the Nigerian Army. He was killed by a mine in Sambisa. He is a tracker per excellence. DQB commiserate with the family and pray, they have the fortitude to bear the great loss. Rest-in-peace Officer.

Being Overweight Gives More Protection Among Diabetes Patients - 'Obesity Paradox'

Diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disease, that is due excessive sugar in the blood stream. I have always known that those who are overweight, are more at risk, to this disease. That is why part of the treatment plan for these patients is Lifestyle Modifications, where patient watches what they eat, and begins to take exercise classes, to keep his weight in check.

Overweight and obese people are at a heightened risk for developing type 2 diabetes, especially if they’re over 45 years old, have a family member with it, live a sedentary lifestyle, have high blood pressure, or are of several minority groups.

But in a new research, being overweight may just be a plus in the whole treatment options.
See what these researchers are saying as seen on MedicalDaily.com

Key researchers observed overweight and obese patients with coronary heart disease had better surgery outcomes than normal weight patients. They published theirfindings and described it as the “obesity paradox,” which is an umbrella term for overweight and obese people more likely to survive renal failure, heart failure, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, than their normal weight counterparts.

Obesity Paradox may just change the way management of Diabetics are done.

It is not all about Drugs

He concluded his lecture yesterday by saying, 'Good Nutrition could offset so many presenting symptoms'. The lecture topic was on public health nutrition, an interesting angle, in the Department of Community medicine.

The example he gave to drive home his point, was outstanding. I believe that the practice in most hospitals, here in Nigeria, is to begin to reel out prescriptions for patients that would otherwise benefit from a detailed chat on eating right.

With the adverse side effects and complications arising from ingesting of drugs, it is better and serves a better good to explore all available, less unnatural means, like eating a good balance diet.

Doctors Quarter Blog enjoins all to stay stag health and strong..
A moderate of exercise and eating the right food sources are all that is needed..

USMLE Today!!!

The tweet that caught my eye today, from the stables of USMLE!!!
Nice catch! Enjoy.

Dr Sharon Straud and Hon. Elvis Nwosu Shines at Madonna International Charity Peace Awards

Madonna International Charity Peace Award (MICPA) ended today, in what many has termed, uniquely inspiring. The MICPA has instituted by the Very Rev Fr Prof EMP Edeh, is to recognise recipients; without considerations of race, religion or creed; who have proven and substantiated record of practising effective charity, no matter how little it may seem.

The MICPA was inaugurated in 2006, but in 2009, the first recipients, Mrs Maduka and Most Rev. Dr ReneMaria Ehuzu, received the award.
Since then, other recipient of the awards are;
Arch Bishop Kelvin Felix (2010)
Arch Bishop Kapala (2010)
Flood victims in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state (2012)
English couple running Orphanage services (2013)
Saint Thomas University, USA received the award for indigent students (2014).
Catholic Bishop Conference of Sierra Leone for Ebola victims (2015).

Yesterday, 2nd May 2015, the MICP-Award was awarded to two distinguished personality; Dr Sharon Straud and Nigerian born Norwegian, Honorable Elvis Chigozie Nwosu, here in the Auditorium at the Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State Nigeria.

Dr Sharon Elizabeth Straud, 70, is the co-winner of 2015 MICPA for her Actualization of World Peace. She received the award from the founder of the MICPA, Fr. Prof Edeh.
She is an author, professional speaker and spiritual leader of Inner Faith Spiritual Centre, since 2001. She has received numerous awards from reputable groups, for her unique role is transmitting peace to the world.

Honourable Elvis C. Nwosu, 50, hails from Ikwerre in Imo State, Nigeria. He is however, a Norwegian by Naturalisation.
He is a co-winner of the 2015 MICPA for his primary role in the protection of civil liberty and rights of indigents Nigerians and Africans in Norway.
He sits on parliament, being an elected member, in the city of Oslo, Norway. He is also the founder and leader of African Cultural Awareness, Norway.

As the recipients departs, they inspire numerous admirers all over the world. This would spur thousands of other peace lovers and ambassadors, onto generous kindness and greater charitable efforts, with the hope that, it generates in the mind of others, through practical effective charity, peace in the human race in general.

Male Factor is The Reason For Shortened Lifespan in Males.

In an average African family, it is on record that, to be a male is a major predisposition to a early death. For several reasons. An African man is saddled with a lot of responsibility. A family man is even tasked with a greater degree of responsibility. He has to provide for his nuclear family. He is perceived as a bigger failure if he cannot support his extended family. So you see, he is conditioned to work, despite the harsh economic reality, for his family. This alone, it is believed, can put a strain on the health of a man.

Workers on May Day!!!

I awoke to numerous messages, all across my social media platforms, stating 'Happy New Month'. I had totally forgotten. Then similar verbal messages started coming as i started moving about.
Workers around the country are on public holiday today, a day set aside for all workers. 

Workers are the backbone of any industry.. they are the brain behind any prosperous nation. A worker on this day is praised for his diligence, hardwork, innovation and punctuality to duty. A good worker is one who takes pride in rendering services to consumers, who makes it a point of duty to give full satisfaction to all customers/consumers that he comes across.
A good worker is one who gives his best to his establishment and would stop at nothing to see to the development of his 'base'. That ideal worker is the love of all.

A bad worker is a disaster-in-waiting. He is least concerned about what consumers want, but more inclined to see he benefits in all his dealings. His principles at the work place is way below the standard. The problem is not the distorted principles, but the fact that he not ready to adjust his ways.
A bad worker lacks team spirit and even when in a team, he add no value to the group. He is mechanical in his duty, stereotyped in his ways and will not move outside the scope of his work, even if his establishment is on he brink of extinction. What more can be said of a bad worker, except that empolyers of labour dread them, customers or consumers detaste them, and their co-workers would rather have nothing to do with them. They are in a world of their own, literally.

As Nigerians mark this year's workers day, workers should resolve to be that Ideal, good worker everyone wants to associate with. Bad workers should change their ways and come back to the mainstream, that would be good for all.
Doctors Quarter's Blog wish all Nigerians, a Happy Worker's Day. Lest I forget, Happy New Month to you all too.