The Department in Surgery King Abdul Aziz Medical City - Jeddah organized the 4th Ostomy Awareness Day 2015 in KAMC-J, and during medical exhibit, Colonel Eng. Khalid Mohammad Bakalka, Executive Director of Operations, NGHA, Western Region delivered a speech in which he pointed out that the Ministry of National - Health Affairs represented by at the Guard represented by King Abdul Aziz Medical City - Jeddah is always involved in such awareness days, as an addition to in participating in medical and educational events due to the awareness great role in educating all community members. He also added that proper patient education is one of the most important treatment factors as being the focal point between the medical and the nursing team to reach optimal patient care. The objective behind hosting such event is to help patients take full advantage of the treatment plan and assist them to achieve a quick recovery.
4th Ostomy Awareness Day supervisor and Colorectal Surgery Consultant, Dr. Khalid Alresini explained that the objective of this day is to raise awareness amongst ostomy patients, their families or caregivers along with educating the community of their needs. Global statistics proved that there are hundreds of thousands of young and adult people in the world who underwent this procedure, and through the participation of departments such as Department in Surgery, Clinical Nutrition, Health Education, Religious Affairs and Nursing Services, we would like to educate those patient on how to take care of this type of procedure so they can smoothly live their daily life routines.
Moreover, Dr. Alresini said that most patients who underwent the ostomy procedure, were fearful and worried about their future; however, rest assured that the procedure is not painful, and the doctors and nursing staff will assist and help the patients to adapt to the stoma bag in addition to assuring that the patient lifestyle will not change after this type of procedure. He also added that this procedure improves quality of life, as patients will be able to eat normally and participate in a wide range of social activities, and there are a lot of patients who still exercise, do sports, horseback riding, swimming, without any complications.
Additionally, Ms. Eseyah Abbas, Wound and Ostomy Care Specialist, pointed out that after the success of the past Ostomy Awareness Days last years and the large number of stoma patients and their families who attended those events, we were so keen on organizing it this year under the slogan “you are not alone, we are always with you ”. Ms. Sarah Bagazi, Wound and Ostomy Care Specialist on the other hand said that this specialization is rare and it has become an essential need to the community, as the number of patients with these conditions need to support and continuous care even after the operation and after being discharged, she also confirmed that awareness about this specialty is a must.