By Chioma Obinna

Nigerian medical doctors comprising eminent professionals in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, family medicine, pharmacy and other allied specialties have brainstormed on ways to treat heartburn also known as Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, GERD.

They gathered under the auspices of the Golden Faculty in Enugu –  a think tank which stands for ‘Gaviscon Opinion Leaders of Nigeria, spearheaded by Reckitt Benckiser, makers of Gaviscon wit the theme  “Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, Where Are We.”

Acid Reflux, or  Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, GERD, is a serious medical condition that occurs when acid, which usually sits within the protected lining of the stomach, escapes back up into the oesophagus (food pipe), and since the oesophagus is not as well protected as the stomach the acid can irritate the lining, causing painful symptoms such as burning sensation, pain (usually behind the breastbone) and a feeling of sickness.

Speaking, Dr. Asif Naqvi, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Director of Medical Education, Princess Diana of Wales Hospital, United Kingdom stressed the need for more awareness to be created for the prevention and management of heartburn, indigestion and related health conditions.

“Awareness needs to start from healthcare workers at all levels from pharmacists to nurses, paramedical staff and primary healthcare physicians; and at the end, the opinion leaders and gastroenterologists and allied people.”

He added that the condition is considered to be benign in a large majority of patients “but it is important that it be recognised now. Therefore it is important that all levels must be focused. There is a lot of evidence that if corrected on a short term, it has a lot of impact in improving quality of life.”

In his presentation, Dr. Sumaila Adamu, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, revealed that, there are no functional studies on GERD in Nigeria. He also brought to the fore the fact that, there are no adequate facilities to address GERD in country.

“We don’t have adequate facilities. Only few centres do endoscopy and have facilities able to diagnose some of the complications of GERD and manage it. We lack the capacity to do very extensive studies for non-erosive reflux disease. What should be done is to have a grant, government funding or corporate backing to conduct a standard population study so that we can characterize our patients for better management in the future,” he said

“Gaviscon is a very good innovation in the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease because it tends to give a lot of protection to the acid irritation in the oesophagus.”

Marketing Manager Healthcare, Reckitt Benckiser West Africa, Mr. Qaiser Rashid,  said  Gaviscon goes into the stomach and forms a raft  which prevents the acid, pepsin and bile from coming on top.