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NAD advocates proper skin care

By Stanley Akpunonu
04 July 2019   |   3:34 am
The Nigerian Association of Dermatologists (NAD) has said that good nutrition and regular exercise are essential in proper management of the skin. Speaking at the 13th Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of NAD, tagged ‘Promoting Skin Health: The Multifaceted Approach,’ President of the association, Dr. Grace Okudo said though the specialty is still…

Photo: Black woman Black woman applying skincare treatment | Photo Credit: Las Morenas De España

The Nigerian Association of Dermatologists (NAD) has said that good nutrition and regular exercise are essential in proper management of the skin.

Speaking at the 13th Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of NAD, tagged ‘Promoting Skin Health: The Multifaceted Approach,’ President of the association, Dr. Grace Okudo said though the specialty is still evolving yet they are making strides both nationally and internationally.

She noted that good skin health requires sound medical knowledge by all health practitioners and not just dermatologists.

Okudo lamented that lack of experts and surge in quackery is undermining the profession. “This was why the association trained some health professionals who were not dermatologists like nurses, pharmacists, clinical psychologists among others. The idea is to form a critical mass on skin healthcare delivery because dermatologists are very few in the country,” she added.

She said that training more health professionals will help them to educate the public, especially at the grassroots level, on skin health and how best to take care of it.

The NAD boss enjoined the public to use sunscreen to protect their skin instead of bleaching their skin.

Okudo noted that plans are on ground to curtail unqualified cosmetology clinics across the country.

First Lady, Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu said the skin is the largest organ of the body, hence the need to take proper care of it.

She reiterated the commitment of the government is to provide quality, affordable and accessible healthcare urging the populace on the need to enroll in the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme.

Guest lecturer and Chairman, Total Health Trust Ltd., Dr. Ladi Awosika highlighted on the need for inter-professional collaboration in healthcare due to the shortage of dermatologists in the country. He cited that as of July 2018, Nigeria has less than 100 registered dermatologists and about ten to 15 per cent are domiciled in the Lagos area.

Awosika noted that interpersonal collaboration had been identified as a promising means of achieving the objectives of strengthening the healthcare system and improving health outcomes.

The medical expert advised stakeholders in the health sector to adopt more technological innovations for Nigerians to access quality skincare stating that delivering healthcare services could be achieved through the adoption of technological innovation into the system.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Dr. Titilayo Gonclaves said it is important for people to promote good skin healthcare.

In her remarks, Gonclaves said that promoting good skin could be achieved through healthy diets, protection from sun, avoiding smoking, managing stress and avoiding chemical creams. She explained that the conference is very apt with the varying degrees of skin disorders persistent in our environment due to unhealthy diets and the use of skin lightening and enhancing products.

She continued: “People should know that the skin is the largest organ of the body which reveals the overall health of an individual. It means promoting good skin health, as healthy skin not only appeals to one aesthetically, but also informs of the state of health of one’s internal organs.”

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