ZARIA 2003Short Report of the 4th National Biomedical Engineering Conference of Nigerian Institute for Biomedical EngineeringThe 4th National Biomedical Engineering Conference of the Nigerian Institute for Biomedical Engineering (NIBE) was held as scheduled between 23rd and 25th October 2003 at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria, Kaduna State of Nigeria. The conference tagged ZARIA 2003, had its theme as Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology: Problems & Prospects and several sub themes, and was organised concurrently with the 4th Annual General Meeting of NIBE. The Conference had a major objective to proffer solution to problems of biomedical engineering and emphasize the prospects for the professional practice in Nigeria. Its planning was made possible by the Conference Board on ZARIA 2003 with Mr. A. O. Adetoye, MNIBE, as Chairman and Engr. B. A. Adegboye, MNIBE as Secretary. On Day One of the Conference, Thursday October 23, 2003, participants started arriving and registering for the conference. A NIBE Presidential delegation led by the Executive Director, Engr. K. I. Nkuma-Udah, MNIBE paid a courtesy call to two distinguished personalities. They were the Chief Medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Dr S. O. Shittu, and the National President of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr S. C. Kitchener. At about 3.00pm on Day One a Pre-Conference seminar titled "Computer Systems for Scientists" was organised by The Computer School, NIBE for members free of charge. This is a new development in the history of NIBE Conferences, which according to the Executive Director is expected to be an annual event. That is there shall be an annual pre-conference computer seminar with the objective to provide an improved understanding of the tool and techniques of the Computer System in an Information Technology era. Day Two of ZARIA 2003, October 24, 2003 started with continuation of arrival and registration of participants from 7.30am. The official opening ceremony commenced at about 10.30am. Dr S. O. Shittu, the Chief Medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital was the Chief Host. The Chairman of the occasion was the President of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr S. C. Kitchener who officially declared the conference open. Twenty individuals were inducted into the new class of Members of NIBE (MNIBE) during the opening ceremony. A lunch break commenced to mark the end of the opening ceremony. After the break, the Plenary Session titled Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology; Problems and Prospects was taken. Four lead papers were presented: "Biotechnology in a Developing economy" by Prof. (Engr.) A. K. Oyinlola of the Metallurgical Engineering Department, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State; "Biotechnology: its Relevance in Medicine" by Dr A. B. Adelaiye of the Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; "New Materials for Biomedical Applications" by Dr A. S. Ahmed of the Chemical Engineering Department, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; and "The Challenges of Medical Equipment Maintenance and Training in Nigeria" by Mr. O. A. Adetoye, Head of School of Biomedical Technology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria. In addition to the Plenary Session, three other technical sessions were held on Day Three, October 25, 2003. Technical Session A: Biomedical Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering Profession took two papers - "Biomedical Engineering: Interfacing Physical and Engineering Sciences with Biology and Medicine" by N. S. Maina and "International Collaboration in Biomedical Engineering" by K. I. Nkuma-Udah. In Technical Session B: Biomedical Engineering: Currently Issues, Ethics and Standards, "Reliability considerations in Biomedical Equipment Design and Method of Prediction" by B. A. Adegboye; "Temperature Alarm Systems for the Hospital Environment" by O. Akinsanmi; and "Effects of RF Emission on Medical Equipment: A Review of COMAR'S Studies" by B. A. Adegboye were presented. Then two papers, "Appropriate Medical Technology Transfer for Nigeria" by K. I. Nkuma-Udah and "Prospects for Biomedical Engineering Practice in Nigeria" by C. B. Y. Gishiri were taken in Technical Session C: Problems Solutions and Prospects in Biomedical Engineering Practice in Nigeria. Later on Day Three, the 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) was convened and chaired by the President represented by the Executive Director, Engr. K. I. Nkuma-Udah, MNIBE. The minutes of the last AGM was read and adopted. The Annual Report of the Council for the year ended September 2003 was received and adopted. Then the Officers of NIBE for 2004 were elected as follows:
President The AGM conceded the 5th Annual General Meeting and Biomedical Engineering Conference to Port Harcourt, Rivers State in the South zone of the country. The Conference closed with a ceremonious dinner chaired by the President of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr S. C. Kitchener. Certificates of Participation were awarded to the participants before the conference finally came to a close.
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