For anyone hit by President Umaru Yar’Adua’s kind of ailment, feeding normally through the mouth would be almost possible, according to Dr Eronmwon Noruwa, a cardiologist and intensive care unit specialist based in the United States of America.

Dr Noruwa, who last week in an exclusive interview with Sunday Sun maintained that it would be difficult for the President to return to office because of the state of his health, also said he would need a special type of bed.

G-tube for feeding
The President might come with a G-tube. He will also be on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) because his gastrointestinal tract might be interrupted for medical reasons at this time. TPN comprises of salts, glucose, amino acids, lipids and vitamins, depending on the President’s needs. The G-tube is a small incision in the abdomen where a small tube passes through into the stomach where enteral feeding (liquid nutrition) takes place. The President at this time cannot swallow or chew any regular food. Also water and liquid medications can be passed through G-tube.

Skin problem
President Yar’Adua would be on aggressive dialysis regime, maybe two to three times a day because of his failed kidneys. This is to avoid uremic build-up, which was partially the reason for his pericarditis in the first place. He is probably retaining fluids, so he is all swollen up at this time. His skin will be a big concern at this time because it can easily tear. So he will be coming with on a special bed, maybe a triadyne bed or rotorest bed. The rotorest is especially good because it vibrates to loosen up mucus from lung inactivity. But the bed doesn’t come cheap, bought or rented. It is a specialized bed that allows medical personnel access the patient and put him in all position like he/she is physically active. He might also have a Foley catheter if his kidneys have residual function. Because of fluid retention, his skin is prone to tear. Due to inactivity, he is prone to bed sores. However, if he is on the rotorest bed, bed sores will be minimized.

Cost of treatment
His treatment will be costing Nigeria millions of dollars and at end of the day he might not survive. The likelihood of his returning hale and hearty is dicey. The man has been having multiple organ failure. He might never be the same any more. Age is not on his side for him to get better. His kidneys have failed. His prognosis is fatal.

Life support gadgets
He will have all sorts of gadgets to help him to stay alive. There is also need for dialysis machine and portable lab machine with accurate results. He might come with an I-stat Machine for blood work and a Piccolo Xl for electrolyte analysis. He would need a Cardiac Monitor with Swan-Ganz in place to accurately monitor fluids and blood activities in the heart. He would also need a Portable Echocardiogram to monitor the heart using pictures as well as Automatic External Defibrillator in case of a cardiac arrest. He would need IV fluids, lots of it and extra packs of Swan-Ganz Catheter. He would need an air courier service to bring the TPN once a week or as ordered by his doctor. I can guarantee you that if all of these medical toys are removed, he would die in a matter of hours.

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