Dermatologist launches book on skin disorders
By Providence Obuh
A TEXTBOOK on the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders has been launched to motivate medical students, resident doctors in paediatrics and family doctors on the art and science of dermatology.
Authour of the book entitled “Textbook of Skin Disease and Sexually Transmitted Infections”, Prof. Yetunde Mercy Olumide a professor of Medicine and a Consultant Physician, Dermatologist/Genito-urinary physician, until her retirement in September 2008, after almost 35 years of academic and professional career at the University of Lagos, Akoka, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
She has over 60 published scientific papers in learned journals and has authored and co-authored at least 10 relevant textbooks.
In a review during the presentation last week at the Unilag, President of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, NAD, Dr. Debo Oresanya, described the publication as a milestone in the development of dermatology in Nigeria.
Oresanya noted: “ Now no medical student in Nigeria should complain about lack of adequate indgenous dermatological textbook to use during their dermatology postings”.
He noted that the book will impact on the teaching of dermatology as well as refine and standardize the curriculum for undergraduate medical students and dermatology residents in the country.
He said the 686-page book with 25 chapters arranged in a unique order reflects regional and ethnic essence. “The uniqueness of the book is expected to appeal to students and doctors in other English speaking African countries. I will urge her to change the name of the book at the next edition to ‘Olumide Text Book of Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, it is an honour she rightly merits,” he said.
Olumide, who said medicine was the most noble profession because life is the most precious thing God created, decried the attitude of healthcare practitioners, caqlling for a change, so the sector will move forward.
“Seventy per cent of the problem in the healthcare delivery in Nigeria is due to the attitude of healthcare practitioners,” she said.
She lamented the fact that most practitioners lack the fear of God which leads to a dead conscience as well as lack of value and respect for human life.
To healthcare delivery providers she warned, “If you assume no body is watching or looking at you, if you are conscious of the fact that God is watching you and is seeing you, you will think and respect life.”
However, Prof. Olumide is a professor of Medicine and a consultant physician, Dermatologist and Genito-urinary physician, until her retirement in
