Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Henry Ayuk, has disclosed that the state government will collaborate with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) management to promote health safety management and other services to meet best practices in the health sector.
He spoke yesterday when he inaugurated the Airway Management Simulation Centre at UCTH.
Ayuk said: “I am optimistic about the future of airway management, especially during operations and in times of emergencies.
“The state government does not have this kind of capacity and facilities at our hospitals, but with the simulation centre now in place, nurses, doctors and other health workers in the state would make good use of the centre and address our mutual needs.
“We would engage with the management of UCTH on how to train our staff at general hospitals as well as those in private hospitals.
“We should scale up health service in the state. So if there is a way to share knowledge of new discoveries let us try to reach those that need the care without much barrier. It is about building capacity. The simulation centre is a good project and would assist the state.”
The commissioner said efforts would be made to attract more of such facilities to achieve the state government’s policies on health for all, especially for the aged and the children.
National President of the Society of Specialists in Airway Management, Dr. Aderonke Adesiyan, said airway management training has been brought closer to health practitioners, considering the fact that knowledge and skills are essential for all healthcare professionals.
Adesiyan said: “The simulation centres across the country have been made possible by the generous donations of over 400 airway manikins, 200 video laryngoscopes and numerous airway equipment from the Airway Development Incorporated.
“It is our hope these centres will be used to enhance the training and retraining of medical students, nurses, medical officers, residents and consultants in all specialties where airway management may be required. We call for collaboration to improve healthcare delivery to all patients.”
