World Heart Day 2022 in UNTH Enugu Nigeria
REPORT OF 2022 WORLD HEART DAY EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE CARDIO-THORACIC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE; UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA TEACHING HOSPITAL ITUKU-OZALLA, ENUGU
Authored by: PROF. NELSON .I. OGUANOBI
Build-up activities to the World Heart Day 2022
The build-up activities for the World Heart Day event in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu commenced one month before the date of the 2022 World Heart Day.
Customized posters were created on World Heart Federation –World Heart Day website: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/get-involved/
The customized posters were shared widely via social media networks and phone contacts.
A total of six 30-minutes recorded health talks and promotion programs by UNTH Cardiac physicians and surgeons were broadcast severally on television and radio stations as well as on YouTube channels.
In addition, a total of four one-hour long live phone-in, audience interactive health promotion programs were aired in five radio station.
A partnership agreement was reached with KANU HEART FOUNDATION; A Non-Governmental Charity-based Organization to commemorate the World Heart Day Event.
WORLD HEART DAY EVENT ON 29TH SEPTEMBER 2022
At the commencement of the World Heart Day’s activities nationwide a special news commentary written by the chairman of the local organizing committee of 2022 World Heart Day in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Prof. Nelson Oguanobi was broadcast on the network news service of Radio Nigeria at 7 am. The commentary which highlighted the significance of this year’s theme was entitled ‘Reducing the impact of adverse social and environmental factors on cardiovascular health’. The special commentary was translated into several Nigerian languages and aired in all the day’s English and Vernacular news network programs of Radio Nigeria stations nationwide.
The World Heart Day event in Enugu organized by the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla Enugu, in collaboration with Kanu Heart Foundation featured the following:
1. Road Walk for life with Kanu Nwankwo, (A Nigerian born legendary international footballer) through major streets in Enugu metropolis.
2. Public Health Education by seasoned health professionals at event arena Okpara Square Independence Lay-Out Enugu.
3. Free cardiovascular screening were carried out on over 500 participants at the event venue.
4. Free medical treatment and counseling were giving to all participants.
5. Appropriate referrals were made for identified cases.
6. A total of 25 indigent adult and paediatric patients with various forms of diagnosed congenital heart diseases presented to the medical crew for counseling and assistance. These requests were appropriately channeled.
7. The event also featured other side attractions of fun, music, dance and entertainments.
The event attracted over 5,000 person from all works of life including several government dignitaries, policy makers, journalists, traditional rulers, and sports personnel and sports fans.