In his distinguished capacity as a Professor of Clinical Microbiology at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology within the esteemed Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences at College of Medical Sciences, Gombe State University, Mohammed Manga has articulated a significant concern.
He has underscored the critical impact of the absence of laboratory investigations preceding the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections, which he identifies as a leading cause of mortality within healthcare facilities.
This profound insight was shared by Professor Manga during his thought-provoking inaugural lecture entitled ‘A Privileged Nomadic Microbial Warrior: Battles in Health and Medical Education’, where he passionately engaged with his audience on the multifaceted challenges faced in the realm of public health and medical education.
The don emphasized, “Managing infections without optimal use of clinical microbiology specialists/laboratory is linked to most morbidities and mortalities in our setting.
“It is both scientific/clinical and moral, ethical necessity for me to draw everybody’s attention to the misuse and abuse of antimicrobials through irrational, unnecessary prescribing, as a dangerous behaviour whose outcome is mostly obvious in the mortuaries and graveyards.
“The messages and lessons from the mortuaries need to be taken seriously by all stakeholders for the prevention and control of infections, especially in our context. A general perspective and sentiment that patients can’t afford vital laboratory investigations like culture sensitivity despite being made to spend huge sums on different antibiotics, in the beginning, need to be discarded.”
Manga restated, “For economic, socio-cultural and other reasons particularly in northern Nigeria most patients/clients with STIs and genital tract infections prefer to present at traditional/unorthodox outlets with more grievous consequences.
The proliferation and ignorant claims on many infectious agents, which are even wrongly pronounced as being STIs require concerted efforts by governments and relevant professionals to ensure the safety of our people. The actual data on STIs and genital tract infections particularly in our setting is difficult to determine.”
While giving his suggestions on the way forward, Manga proposed that health insurance should cover treatment for infections and advised the government to establish a regional clinic specifically for treating Sexually Transmitted Infections, where these cases will be given priority.
“Nigeria as a country should have regional STI clinics with state-of-the-art diagnostic capacities for optimum patient care and research outputs. All tertiary hospitals in the country should prioritise and ensure the comfort and convenience of STI patients in obtaining specialist/expert care whenever needed.
“The menace of quackery and unfounded claims on STIs should be tackled by relevant agencies to minimise related complications that include female infertility.”
Additionally, Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University Professor Aliyu El-Nafaty commended Manga for his exceptional academic achievements and reputation.
