Nigerians have been advised to cut down on the consumption of processed foods and bottled water due to their negative impacts on gut health, including the growth of inflammatory bacteria and increased gastrointestinal damage.
This warning was issued by Professor Desmond Leddin, a Professor of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. He gave the advice virtually during the 17th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN), held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The theme of the conference was “Climate Change and Gastrointestinal Health.”
Professor Leddin explained that air pollution, chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics significantly harm the human gut and increase inflammation. He called for Nigerians to adopt more sustainable food systems, consume more plant-based foods, reduce meat intake, and prioritize water filtration and food safety in the face of climate change.
In her opening remarks, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetomobi, emphasized the timeliness of the event’s theme. She attributed the rising cases of gastrointestinal disorders, cholera, dysentery, and liver diseases in both rural and urban areas to climate-induced factors such as flooding, high humidity, and poor waste management.
Dr. Ajetomobi stated that the Oyo State Government had adopted a multisectoral and technically driven approach to strengthening the health system and climate resilience. She also expressed the state’s willingness to partner with SOGHIN and similar bodies to mitigate the burden of related diseases.
Delivering his remarks, the outgoing President of SOGHIN and Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, said climate change, global warming, and increased flooding were leading to a spike in gastrointestinal diseases and affecting other vital organs such as the lungs, brain, and heart.
Professor Otegbayo urged government at all levels to implement recommendations from international committees on climate change by avoiding harmful practices like bush burning and supporting biodiversity through tree planting and other health-protective measures.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Amarita Sethi of Columbia University Medical Centre, New York, called for the recognition and inclusion of women in the field of endoscopy. She encouraged governments and stakeholders to support and train women passionate about the discipline.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Kolawole Akande, urged participants to take advantage of the insights shared by distinguished speakers at the conference.
