Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex witnessed a momentous occasion on 20th July, 2023, as the Society for the Study of Pain in Nigeria (SSPN) Osun State chapter convened its 25th Annual National Scientific Conference and General Meeting.
This year’s theme, “Integrative Pain Care in Nigeria,” brought together leading experts and professionals in the field to explore the complexities of pain and its impact on society.
In his welcome address, Dr. Abayomi Ojo, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, emphasized the crucial role pain plays as a symptom in cases of trauma or inflammation.
He also shed light on mental pain, a less understood yet equally significant form of suffering that affects various aspects of an individual’s life, such as productivity in the workplace or within the family. Dr. Ojo’s insightful remarks set the stage for an enlightening discourse on the multifaceted nature of pain.
The conference’s guest speaker, Dr. Akintomi Olugbodi, FMCP (Neurology), delved into the complexities of chronic pain, a condition that lacks a definitive cure but can be effectively managed through medical interventions.
Dr. Olugbodi emphasized the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain management, underscoring how such an approach can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
In her remarks, Prof. Aderonke Akinpelumi, President of SSPN, characterized pain as an experience that encompasses both physiological and psychological dimensions, touching every facet of human existence.
Prof. Akinpelumi stressed the need for increased attention, compassion, and innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by pain and its consequences.
The conference received commendation from the Ag Chief Medical Director, represented by Prof. Eniola Eziyi, the Ag Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, who lauded the SSPN for its comprehensive approach to understanding pain and its effects on society.
The acknowledgment affirmed the society’s commitment to reducing the impact of pain on individuals and communities through a holistic and integrated approach.
The 25th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Society for the Study of Pain in Nigeria not only provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration among experts but also ignited a renewed sense of purpose in the pursuit of alleviating pain-related suffering in the country.
As the conference concluded, participants left with a greater understanding of pain’s intricacies and an enhanced determination to embrace innovative solutions in the quest for better pain care in Nigeria.
