The vision underlying the formation and activities of Dr-Save-A-Life-Foundation is one that symbolizes passion for health and longevity. And this comes at a time when the projected life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa is at its lowest ebb. It is, therefore, salutary that a foundation has answered the clarion call of working towards ensuring perfect health and improved life expectancy in Nigeria. The vision born and nurtured by a Nigerian, Dr Richard Okoye, underpins the latent intellectual resources which the Almighty has endowed on humanity across Nigeria. The foundation run by Dr Okoye has built state-of-the-art hospitals across Nigeria that offer excellent services reminiscent of the ones obtained in the West. It is also commendable that the foundation selected the Federal Polytechnic Nekede as a flagship for its paramedical mission.

Foremost among the adduced reasons for selecting polytechnic is the priority which the Rector, Engr Dr Michael Arimanwa, attaches to the health of the polytechnic community. It would be recalled that the Rector with his management team had in the past paid a working visit to the foundation’s hospital in Portharcourt where he embarked on a facility tour of the modern hospital. Two, the foundation appreciates the Rector’s drive for human capital development as evidenced in the robust linkage operations of the polytechnic. Three, the foundation identifies with the Rector in his massive developmental strides in the Federal Polytechnic Nekede that have beautifully redefined the landscape of the institution. Four, the foundation finds the polytechnic a home due to the hospitality of the Rector and his management team. Indeed, the country director of the foundation, Barr Austen Nnadi, elucidated this much as he also identified the group’s attachment to the polytechnic as being rekindled by the outstanding and admirable leadership style of the Rector, Engr Dr M.C Arimanwa.

Having visited the polytechnic the previous week to launch a specialized club, Dr-Save-A-Life Club, the group returned yesterday, November 25, 2021, to hold a most inspiring health seminar. The colloquium was geared towards making staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic paramedics who can respond to health emergency calls. This has become very necessary and urgent in view of the acute shortage of manpower in the health sector. Expectedly, the seminar turned out to become a huge success with vital takeaways.

First, the life expectancy of an average Nigerian is on the low side of 54. This is not different from the sordid reality across sub-Saharan Africa. When compared to most countries in the West and Asia with a life expectancy above 80, Nigeria’s situation is therefore a far cry. Unfortunately, this has been attributed to life style. The public has therefore been cautioned to reduce intake of processed foods in natural nutrients like fruits and vegetables that have minerals that build the body tissues.

Second, the Dr-Save-A-Life foundation has developed a first-of-its-kind application which could be downloaded from the Google play store at no cost. The digital application comes as an alternative doctor and health-guide for the user. It is also user friendly as it can be operated in many languages. Generally, the application offers the user a practical guide in treating varied life-threatening diseases where a doctor is not available.

Third, Nigerians spiritualize issues of health a great deal. In addition, they point accusing fingers at imaginary enemies when indeed they can visit the hospital to see a doctor. It is also ironical that people who feed and clothe well rather resort to prayers when they are ill than visit a doctor. This makes the usage of the foundation’s application vital. It is also hoped that come next year as promised, the foundation would build the first digital hospital in the world.

Four, there is need for massive investments in the health sector because health is actually wealth. The total budget of the country is till inadequate and may not be able to arrest the slide in the system. The World Health Organisation (WHO) for, instance, recommends one doctor to sixty hundred people but in reality the Nigerian situation is one doctor to six thousand people. The Federal Government has repeatedly said that it cannot afford the WHO recommended ratio. This grim reality has further been exacerbated by brain drain in the sector, making it imperative to imbibe the ideals professed by Dr-Save-A-Life Foundation.

Five, unmarried ladies should desist from the intake of the contraceptive drug, postinor-2 due to the repercussions it portends. The speaker at the seminar revealed that the drug is one of the major causes of fertility problems among married couples today. It is therefore pertinent for the unmarried to embrace chastity for the sake of the future.

Doctor-Save-A-Life foundation club which has been launched in Federal Polytechnic Nekede is open to all staff and students for further paramedical trainings. And since the country is in dire need of adequate manpower in the health sector, it behooves everyone to build capacity in an event of medical emergency.

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