Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Dean Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Professor Gladys Ahaneku, has called on Nigerians to work on the preservation of their hearts to enhance their longevity.
Delivering her inaugural lecture titled, “The human heart: A workaholic with numerous saboteurs,’ listed the cardinal saboteurs to include ignorance, poverty and underdevelopment.
According to Ahaneku, a consultant cardiologist and professor of medicine, efforts should be made to exercise regularly, reduce the salt intake and junk food by advanced adults.
For women, she urged them to avoid old age pregnancy which she said can lead to congenital infant disorders.
She further condemned excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and drug abuse as saboteurs which should be discouraged.
The dean said medical studies have shown that blacks are more predisposed to diseases such as stroke and kidney failure because of lack of awareness.
She further announced that research has proven that plantain contains more carbohydrates than yam which has been found to contain protein.
She advised diabetics to take yellow yam which, she said, contains more protein than white yam which in the past has being discouraged for them.
Contributing, Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Dr.J.C. Elo Ibo, advised expectant mothers to register for ante-natal care, take only recommended drugs and go to good hospitals for deliveries to avoid endangering the heart.
Also speaking, a retired nurse, Lady Cecelia Obidiegwu, urged the citizenry across mature ages to take care of their hearts to enhance their longevity.
