By Damilola Kushimo
Residents of Oshodi, Isolo and Ejigbo battling with infections of the ear, nose and throat now have a public medical facility to take care of their challenges.
After 45 years of operation, Isolo General Hospital, last week, set up an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)clinic to treat such diseases.
The clinic, which was officially inaugurated last week by the Medical Director/CEO of the hospital is considered a major landmark in the development of the hospital.
Common diseases of the ENT include ear infections, strep throat, sinusitis and sleep apnea.
While sleep apnea is a disorder causing patients to stop breathing for periods of time while sleeping, sinusitis occurs when germs enter the four hollow recesses of the skull surrounding the eyes and nose.
Throat infections caused by a category of germs called streptococci are called strep throat while ear infections can manifest as difficult in hearing and blockage of air passages by objects.
Until last week, patients with such complaints who visit the Isolo General Hospital were referred to other ENT medical facilities.
Hoarseness of voice and problems arising from poor ear cleaning pose regular problems from patients who attend ENT clinics.
A study of ear cleaning practices revealed that the prevalence of self ear cleaning was 93.4%.
The study, carried out by Dr. Gabriel Olatide and Dr. Clement Nwankwo noted, among others, that
“Common reasons for self ear cleaning were 35.1% personal hygiene, 21.8% dirty/earwax and 11.8% itching. Both ears were most commonly cleaned among the patients in 46.9%. Right ear in 31.8% was commoner than left ear in 21.3%. Commonest object used in ear cleaning was cotton bud in 44.5%. Other objects were finger, feather and key in 24.6%, 15.6% and 14.7% respectively. Common clinical presentation were dirty/earwax in 35.1%, otalgia in 29.4%, hearing loss in 27.5% and itching in 24.2%. Long time (chronic) ear cleaning accounted for 63.5% while short time (acute) ear cleaning accounted for 36.5%. Frequency of ear cleaning in these patients were daily in 49.3%, weekly in 17.1%, monthly in 13.3% and occasional in 20.4%. Major diagnosis was 34.6% personal hygiene, 22.7% allergy and 18.5% earwax impaction.”
In a chat with ECHONEWS, Dr. Akhabhoa delightedly said the initiative was taken to fulfill the hospital’s vision statement which is “To be a world class one stop shop secondary Health care facility for the people of Isolo and its environ.”
“I feel great that a great milestone has been achieved as one of the cardinal part of our vision statement and 2020/21 strategic plan for the hospital, ” he said.
Speaking further, the Medical Director said he was motivated to set up the clinic because it had always been his desire to provide medicare for a large majority of the people, adding that there had been much agitation for the clinic following a large number of ENT cases being referred to other hospitals.
Dr. Akhabhoa described the development as a dream come true for the entire staff and management of the hospital.
He particularly thanked the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Benjamin Eniayewun and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, for their encouragement and support.
ECHONEWS gathered that the clinic has started admitting ENT patients for treatment.
