LASUTH Commemorates International Day of Older Persons 2022

LASUTH Commemorates International Day of Older Persons 2022

…provides free medical screening to geriatrics volunteers/ participants

The Geriatric Unit in the Department of Family Medicine of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) joined its counterparts all over the world to commemorate the International Day of Older Persons.

The two-day program which held on 4th & 5th of October, 2022, engaged the elderly patients in the hospital in several activities which included a rally, medical outreach and symposium.

The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo who gave the opening address at the symposium, lauded the effort of the Department of Family Medicine in making its patients a priority at all levels.

He said, “the bar for benchmarking the aged in Nigeria has been pegged at 65years, this therefore means that the effort of the people in this age bracket who have sacrificed their know-how, skills, intellect to steer the future generation in the right path should not be undermined but should be applauded at all levels.”

The CMD further highlighted the plans of the Lagos State Government to ensure that relevant and adequate healthcare services are provided for the older persons. He cited the example of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme which is available to older persons at a subsidized charge.

The Guest Speaker, Dr. Femi Olowookere, Coordinator of Geriatric Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan, spoke on the theme for this year’s event; “Resilience and Contributions of Older Women” He noted that the elderly women have been sidelined in the society and they need to be made more relevant and be treated fairly as this is what brings about resilience of older women in the society. He further explained that the feeling of relevance helps the older woman to have a better lease of life.

Consultant Family Physician and Geriatrician at the Department of Family Medicine LASUTH, Dr. Oludaisi Oduniyi, gave a chronicle of how the Geriatric Unit in LASUTH had evolved over the years while stating the achievements, challenges and steps taken for consistency and growth.

Other activities marking the special day included free health checks facilitated by the Geriatric Unit, and other collaborating departments and units such as the Eye Clinic, Orthopaedic Clinic, Diabetes Clinic and Family Medicine.