University Don develops protocol to assist critically ill patients, hospitals in remote settings

A professor of vascular and general surgery at Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki, Esther Ajuluchukwu, has developed a protocol to enhance the survival rate of critically ill patients.

Ajuluchukwu made the disclosure on Saturday during the 15th Inaugural Lecture of EBSU in Abakaliki.

Ajuluchukwu, who is also the Sub-Dean of the university’s faculty of Clinical Medicine, said that the protocol, which has assisted in managing various difficult surgical cases, is termed “Esther Ajuluchukwu Resuscitation (E.A.R) protocol.”

“This protocol has increased the survival rate of critically ill-patients requiring both pre-and postoperative nutritional supplementation and care,” she said.

The surgeon said that the protocol, which is adopted by several surgeons, is characterised by the principles of 3-4 Ts: which for instance, assist in draining excessive gastric fluid in the stomach.

The principle is also applied in the vein to administer drips and drugs parenterally and in the urinary bladder, to drain the urine.

“Initial investigations in resuscitation are done, deranged values corrected while the work-up and optimisation of the patient are instituted; all through these principles,” she said.

Ajuluchukwur said that wounds on healthy people heal quickly when kept clean and free of infection while other types are more serious and require medical intervention.

“There is evidence that patients with severe protein depletion have greater incidences of postoperative complications such as pneumonia, wound infection and prolonged hospital stay.

“Healthy food choices may help with recovery by providing the energy, vitamin, mineral, protein among other requirements necessary to promote healing,” she said.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, commended Ajuluchukwu for her feats in surgery, noting that the university was proud of her.

“You have added value to the university’s lecture series and we pledge to add value to it through the contributions of outstanding scholars,” he said.

Chairman of the university’s Distinguished Professors Forum, Prof. Amaria Omaka, while inducting Ajuluchukwu into the fold noted that it would gain from her vast scholarly experience.

The theme of the lecture was: “Introducing the E.A.R protocol; the power of adequate resuscitation in remedial surgery.”

Ajuluchukwu is the wife of the late First Republic politician and veteran journalist, late Chief Michael Ajuluchukwu.