Diphtheria disease outbreak has killed no fewer than 25 persons in Kano.
Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, confirmed the outbreak of the deadly disease.
Symptoms of the killer disease include sore throat, cough, drooling of saliva, change of voice, neck swelling, abnormal breathing, fever or mouth odour, among others.
The commissioner, noted that the state emergency preparedness committee is currently in a meeting with a view to evaluating the casualty figures, reviewing the data and measures to address the situation.
Tsanyawa said presently, the state rapid response team has been reactivated and indexed an action plan to check the spread of the deadly disease in the state.
‘’Right now, we have presented a budget for this to the government and it has been approved,’’ the commissioner told an online newspaper.
He said the low routine immunisation attributed to the spread of the disease is due to the hard-to-be-reached areas in the state.
He noted that, however, the state is strengthening its routine immunization.
Tsanyawa said apart from the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital designated as an isolation centre, other isolation centres would be created to check the spread of disease.
“Although we used Yargaya for COVID-19 isolation, we have set the place aside for the isolation of diphtheria infection also.
“We also have three cases of LASSA Fever in the state now with the index case from Taraba.
“The people should not panic but if they notice any unusual fever, should immediately visit the hospital.
“We are already embarking on sensitisation to educate the populace on the disease,” Tsanyawa said.
Ondo State government says there is no cause for alarm over the heath status of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu following speculations in some quarters.
The governor’s Chief Press secretary, Richard Olatunde confirmed this in a release issued on Tuesday in Akure.
The release states that like every other mortal body , the governor is not immune to health issues but has since been receiving treatment and discharging his duty.
While appreciating the concern and prayers of the good people of the state, friends and other well wishers, the statement calls on the people to ignore false and needless anxiety over his state of health.
It adds that Governor Akeredolu will continue to discharge his duties effectively inline with his redeemed agenda as he finds quality time to rest for renewed strength.
The Federal Government has insisted it will not impose COVID-19 restrictions on China despite the rising infections in the East Asia country.
The Coordinator and Technical Head of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Dr Muktar Muhammad, who stated this in Abuja on Sunday, however, said the government has raised the surveillance level in the country.
China’s decision to relax its strict COVID-19 rules to curb the virus and lack of transparency has been greeted with some anxiety in many countries.
At least 23 countries have imposed restrictions on travellers from China amid fears of an increase in COVID-19.
Data from the World Health Organisation shows that China reported 24,565 new cases on January 13, 2023, and so far there are 10,855,369 confirmed cases and 33,698 deaths.
However, Muhammad said countries imposing restrictions on China are doing so without a scientific basis as available data shows that cases are increasing worldwide.
He said, “For us, what we are doing now is to try to raise our surveillance level to be able to understand what kind of viruses are coming in, to continue to do our genomic sequencing to identify the variants that are coming into Nigeria so that we will have credible intelligence on what we need to do.”
The expert said the government has intensified surveillance at sentinel points to monitor the situation in the country.
He added, “We believe what is happening is not more than a seasonal increase in upper respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19, and we are monitoring the various variants circulating in the world.”
Meanwhile, the centre has confirmed 42 new cases of the virus in the country in two weeks.
The cases were recorded in Lagos, Edo, Kano, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
The 42 new cases brought the nation’s confirmed COVID-19 infections to 266,492, according to the NCDC.
Governor Bello Matawalle says the Zamfara State Government has identified no fewer than 199 ghost doctors who were in the state payroll that are yet to be found.
Matawalle made this known while speaking to journalists in Maradun town, the headquarters of Maradun Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
According to the governor, though the state government was paying salaries to 280 doctors every month, it discovered only 81 doctors are active in the entire state.
He noted that he already met with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) on how to trace those 199 ghost doctors who spent long periods of time collecting salaries illegally with a view to blocking those behind the manipulation.
Matawalle explained that the discovery of the ghost doctors was as a result of the ongoing biomedical data capture of the entire state workforce through the office of the state Head of Service.
The data collection exercise is said to be a reflection of the state government’s readiness to commence a proper implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage to the state workforce.
“The problem is, once we say we are going to implement it (N30,000), we can’t just say we are going to pay people directly like that. No, there was a system,” Matawalle said.
“We have developed a table and, unfortunately, during the exercise, it was discovered that there are over 280 doctors that have been collecting salaries from the state government, but in reality, we have only 81 doctors in Zamfara State.
“The labor union just confirmed to me why they delayed it, that they want to make sure that things go right because we cannot just continue like that as a government.”
He assured the public that no genuine civil servant will be retrenched by his administration with regard to implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage payment.
“I am not going to retrench anybody. In fact, I am going to give them (civil service) houses for all the civil servants. I have built 450 houses for them which nobody knows about it, but on Sunday, I will give them the keys,” he said.
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has warned that the country stands to witness the flight of more health workers abroad if the government does not address factors fueling the brain drain.
The Chairman, NMA Lagos Branch, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu gave the warning at a stakeholders engagement with political party leadership and gubernatorial candidate in Lagos organized by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator in partnership with Legislative Initiative For Sustainable Development.
Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu explained that brain drain syndrome continues to deplete the health workforce, revealing that in December of 2022, more than 1,800 healthcare workers left the country for greener pastures.
According to Olowojebutu, Medicine as a profession “might go into extinction” in the country if the problem persisted.
“There is a very big challenge about brain drain. I have said several times that we have to be very deliberate about how we tackle this. There is a pull and push syndrome that is affecting doctors leaving Lagos State,” he declared.
“During COVID-19 in 2020, 81 doctors moved from Lagos to the UK. They had a special plane that came to carry them from the UK. Between March 2020 and October 2022, we lost 507 doctors from Lagos state to the UK.
“In December 2022 alone, we lost over 1,800 doctors and other healthcare workers to brain drain. We need to think of how to make healthcare attractive and sustainable.
“Before, we used to have young doctors travelling abroad for greener pastures, but now, even the consultants that are supposed to be training the young doctors are leaving the country.
“There is a dearth of doctors in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State. Some places don’t have specialities anymore because the specialists have left the country at this time”.
Dr Olowojebutu stressed the imperative for government to “critically treat the issue as an emergency” and to solve the problem.
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, has travelled out of the country for a routine medical check-up and is expected back in the country after the general elections.
He was said to have jetted out of the country on Saturday to Germany for his routine medical checkup.
It was gathered that he left from the Minna International Airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja where he was flown in a private Jet out of the country.
He was said to have been accompanied on the trip by his second son, Aminu and security personnel.
An impeccable source said the former Military President is presently in Switzerland.
It is not however known whether his immediate family members will join him in Germany later.
One of his spokespersons, Mahmud Abdullahi, confirmed the development, saying “The journey is the normal medical routine check-up. There is no cause for alarm. The medical checkup had been long overdue and he has to go now. What Nigerians need to do is to pray for him and wish him well.”
Asked whether it was a deliberate attempt to avoid participating in the forthcoming general elections and avoid any controversies, Mahmood simply said, “I am not aware of that. There had been pressure on him in the past months and it is time for him to go and rest and go for his checkup.”
A 45-year-old woman, Eunice Owoloja, who is suffering from cancer of the uterus, has appealed to Nigerians to assist her in the payment of 400,000 naira needed for her treatment.
The woman, a single parent with six children made the appeal on her sick bed at Southwest 4, University College Hospital Ibadan.
The needed amount according to the hospital is to evacuate the uterus urgently before it spreads to other parts of her body.
Mrs Owoloja, in pain, said she had no one hence the need for the appeal.
for any assistance.
To assist Mrs Owoloja, Kindly pay to her daughter’s account: Owoloja Grace, Guaranty Trust Bank 0436556345
The Management of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has notified the public to stop the purchase and use of a product named Weight Rapid Loss Capsule, manufactured by Ingi Oman,
A notification signed by the management on the Agency’s website, dated December 20, 2022, and titled Public Alert No. 049/2022 – Alert on the UAE health authority warning against consumption of weight loss pills, the Agency, said it was notifying the public that the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) has warned against the use of the Weight Rapid Loss Capsule, due to its potential to cause cancer.
According to the alert: “The product is being -marketed as ‘the most effective weight loss supplement and is being illegally sold through social media platforms like Instagram.
“Result of laboratory analysis showed that the pills contain a banned substance ‘phenolphthalein’, which the US Food and Drug Administration has recognised as unsafe. It further contains microbial growth above the permissible limits.
Phenolphthalein has been found to be toxic to genes as it can cause damage or mutations in the DNA. Studies have also shown its potential carcinogenic risks.
Further, the management noted, “NAFDAC implores consumers to stop the purchase and use of the product. Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events experienced with the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office, via [email protected], E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application for download on android and IOS stores.”
Succour and relief have come the way of residents of Adebomi Community in the Odò-Ọnà Eléwé area of Ìbàdàn, Oyo State capital as a nongovernmental organisation, Least People Outreach USA, carried out free medical care and food distribution to the people.
The exercise was in partnership with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Jesus Dwelling and Jesus Altar Parish.
The residents, who trooped out in large numbers with excitement, presented themselves to the medical team for health screening such as Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement, Eye test, Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar check, Stress Management, and Preventive Medicine.
Equally, the Group distributed eyeglasses to those diagnosed with vision problems after which they were all handed a raw food pack of grains and noodles.
The people, who lauded the gesture, expressed joy at the free-for-all programme, saying such humanitarian activity, especially, when not politically motivated was unprecedented in the community
Two of the beneficiaries, Elder Victor Aribisala and Mr. Ademola Adesina said the programme had revealed their health status and the prescribed measures for managing it.
“I really benefitted from this programme, if not for this outreach, I wouldn’t have discovered I have elevated Blood Pressure. I thank God I have done a noble thing.” Elder Aribisala added
“Nowadays little health issues claim lives, and we thank God that this NGO is helping us to live well. This is a community that you notice that needs help not only in the area of medical attention but also in stomach infrastructure, people are very happy, you know we all know what the country has turned to, and we will reciprocate in serving God the more.” Mr Adesina said.
Convener of the NGO, Mr. Ìfẹ́olúwapọ́ Fáṣọlá who explained that Least People Outreach USA had imparted many families in Nigeria through monthly food support outreach since 2016, noted that the vision was to establish a food bank to provide free foods to communities.
“It’s a mandate from God that we should feed the less privileged in the community and I’m happy that we have been able to feed the communities in Ìbàdàn, we also support orphanages and motherless babes homes, we empowered Widows to the glory of God.”
“I am not interested in any properties or accumulation of wealth, It’s always the best day for me doing this , as long as these people are being taken care of. Even my children were born into doing this in the United States, we cook and take it to the homeless, we have a food pantry there and God asked us to replicate it in Ìbàdàn.” Fasola said
Mr. Fasola, an Ondo town indigene, admonished public organisations and spirited individuals to key into the vision and supports the mandate as volunteers, donors and sponsors in the building of a food bank so as to feed more communities, Orphanages and Widows.
Country Coordinator, Pastor Moses Oladimeji, who said the NGO doesn’t discriminate in its activities, disclosed that about 20 communities including Orphanage homes had been reached this year.
“It’s a community-based project and we target families, like this program now, our target is a minimum of 400 families we are hoping it would reach 450 or more. If you look at families, today, according to our own survey, I don’t think there’s a family less than four, and that’s the target and not individual. Even if one person is represented from a family, he/she will go home with what will cater for the entire family, so we package food that will last them for more than a week.” Pastor Oladimeji added
Pastor Oladimeji enjoined Nigerians to cultivate the habit of feeding their next-door neighbours and ensure that no one suffered hunger in their neighbourhood.
Ogun state government has reaffirmed its administration’s determination to ensure that the state sustained its polio-free status.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker gave the assurance during the flag off ceremony of the First Round, Outbreak Response Exercise against Polio virus held at the Iberekodo Primary Health Centre, Abeokuta.
Dr Coker who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olukayode Oladeinde, said over two million children under the age of 0-59 months were targeted at during the exercise.
The Ogun state health commissioner who pointed that the outbreak of the Circulating Variant of Poliomyelitis virus in the country necessitated the exercise noted that the state in collaboration with Development Partners deemed it fit to tackle any form of the infection.
Also, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, who said that children of ages 0-59 months would be vaccinated with two drops of the Oral Polio Vaccine, OPV, maintained that the vaccines remained safe and potent.
In their separate messages, representative, National Team Lead for OBR1, Dr. Suleiman Haladu and the State Cordinator, World Health Organization WHO, Mrs Afolake Ogunlaja and her counterpart from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Victoria Adebiyi said that the vaccines were safe and effective in protecting children against diseases, reiterating that their organizations remained committed to supporting the Ogun Government in all its healthcare programs aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of residents especially children.
Earlier, Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government, Mr Abdul Sallam Adebayo represented by the Medical Officer of Health, Dr Oladipupo Afonja appreciated the present administration for the various health programmes and interventions, which he said, were focused on improving the wellbeing of children.
Prioritizing funding for programmes on ending HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria epidemics would go a long way in reducing their scourge in the country.
Oyo State Programme Officer for Resilience and Sustainable Health System for Health, Covid-19 Response Mechanism Project, Mr Adebiyi Oluseun stated this in Ibadan during a media chat.
Mr Oluseun explained that it was vital that the Federal Government improved funding for the programmes, taking into consideration the toll of the diseases over the years.
He explained that the aim of the media round-table was to brief stakeholders and traditional rulers on efforts put in place by the organization to strengthen the Health sector to ensure people get quality healthcare and accountability for diseases such as Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Mr Adebiyi noted that the second quarter was six months and that it would be rounded off in December.
He said that the project was able to achieve positive results in some selected local governments.
In an address, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDs in Nigeria, Mr Faith Olawale, who said Oyo State was among the eighteen States selected to implement the projects, lauded the state government for its support in achieving positive results.
Mr Olawale called on the people to cooperate with the organization in their other quarters to be able to provide quality health services delivery.
The event featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Director of Public Health, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Mr Dupe Oladele, the State Coordinator of Tuberculosis Network and Baale, Oluyole Estate and Environs, Chief Yemi Ogunyemi.
Nigerians have been reminded to always donate blood voluntarily as an act of service to humanity.
National Blood Service Commission, Southwest Acting Zonal Director, Dr Awonranti Oladapo, stated this in Ibadan when he led a road walk to mark the first Edition of National Blood Donor Day.
Dr Awonranti explained that the uniqueness of National Blood donor day was to raise consciousness and a stronger awareness of the importance of blood donation in saving lives.
He noted that the approval of National Blood Donor Day in Nigeria came at the right time and that it would enable Nigerians to access quality blood when there was a need.
Speaking on the challenges encountered to get blood which included the economy, the medical expert said that hunger should not be a yardstick, as there would be screening to know if someone was fit to donate blood.
President of the Rotary Club of Ibadan Prestige, Mr Olusola Obafemi enjoined Nigerians to donate blood as it could be useful to save people’s life at any time in need.
The road walk started at Total Garden and terminated at Gate.
Some time ago, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, revealed that the nation is down to just twenty-four thousand doctors to cater for its over two hundred million population. What are the causes? And any hope for the nation.
More on Mid-week Cruise on the Southwest Network of Radio Nigeria on Wednesday 7th Dec by 9 am.
Guest : Dr. Wale Lasisi
MBBS, FWACS, FICS
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.
Chairman Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo State Branch.
A component production machine known as Cold Centrifuge has been inaugurated in Ibadan.
The Cold Centrifuge is to produce blood components which would in turn improve blood screening services in the country.
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire who stated this while inaugurating the equipment explained that the centrifuge would separate the four components of blood in the human body to give a specific requirement instead of exhausting the whole blood.
Dr Ehanire who was represented by Director General, National Blood Service Commission, NBSC, Dr Omale Amedu, hinted that the commission had approved the categorization of blood establishment into primary, secondary and tertiary levels based on the structure range of personal, equipment, products and the services rendered.
The minister noted he had given the approval to constitute a regulatory task force to effectively carry out this regulation to ensure that all blood screening establishments in the country were authorized to be in the business.
In an address of welcome, the Zonal Director of the National Blood Service Commission, NBSC, South-West Zonal Centre, Dr Oladapo Aworanti expressed satisfaction that the components production equipment would meet international standards.
In a goodwill message, Secretary to Oyo State Government, SSG, Mrs Adeosun Olubanwo represented by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ayoola Adebisi lauded the initiative and described the event as unique while noting that one of the cardinal programmes of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration was the provision of good healthcare.
He explained that the state had digital blood-transforming equipment across the health facilities to complement the effort of the NBSC.
Goodwill messages were sent by Chief Medical Directors of hospitals in Ibadan, Lagos, and Ekiti States and other stakeholders.
The high point of the event was the inauguration of the NBSC Tertiary Education Blood Safety Club.
The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Oyo State, has organized a week-long activity to mark one year in office of the present exco with various programmes and to showcase its achievements.
The week-long activities afforded the Executive of MWAN led by DR Oyindamola Adeyemi to donate items to Oluyole Chesire Home, Ibadan and FOMWAN Orphanage Home, Basorun Ibadan, donation of books on Adolescent Health to some Secondary Schools in Oyo state in collaboration with the Oyo state Ministry of Education.
The book titled What Adolescents Are Asking about Menstruation was written and published by MWAN OYO YDF (2019-2021 Biennium) in conjunction with the MWAN OYO Research team in November 2021.
The Executive also observed Jumat Service at University College Hospital, UCH Central Mosque, Ibadan and the thanksgiving service was held at RCCG Jesus Tower, Jericho, Ibadan.
Speaking to newsmen while distributing the books to some selected public schools in Oyo state, the President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Oyo State, Dr Oyindamola Adeyemi, said young females need valid information and the right knowledge to understand the concept of menstruation.
Dr Adeyemi said the Association remained committed to the welfare of the girl child through advocacies and partnership with relevant stakeholders of the society.
The MWAN President noted that the book would empower young girls, parents and teachers with valid information about menstruation, sexual and reproductive health, which she said, had been well-researched by a team of experts.
She said that culturally, limited discussions on menstrual and sexual-related matters encourage widespread dissemination of false information.
According to her, this is worsened by our girls seeking answers to their concerns from their peers and social media where they also encounter false information.
Dr Adeyemi said that the wrong information made young females vulnerable to unscrupulous elements in society to prey on their innocence.
“Therefore, it is important that our young girls have access to valid information, which addresses their concerns and ensures that they are well equipped with the right knowledge they need to understand the concept of menstruation, feel comfortable with it, make the right decisions and ultimately safeguard their reproductive health”, she said.
Also, the State Commissioner for Education, Mr Rahman Abduraheem, represented by the Deputy Director of Schools in the ministry, Mrs Felicia Oyerinde, charged the girls with some valuable tips on maintaining hygiene.
Changing your pad every four hours, cleaning your reusable pads properly, keeping your vaginal area clean and wearing comfortable clean underwear, among many more hygienic ways, which can be cultivated by you all to ensure your wellbeing, he said.
Also, the Secretary to the Association, Dr Olubukola Salam, enjoined the government and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to help look into ways to subsidise the price of menstrual pads for the girl-child.
According to Salam, it would help boost their morale and limit the number of girls who would be absent in school during their menstrual periods.
In her goodwill message, the MWAN National President, represented by Dr Kemi Otolorin, urged the government to subsidise sanitary pads and provide good toilets and water in public schools.
While presenting some items to Oluyole Chesire Home, Ibadan and FOMWAN Orphanage Home, Basorun Ibadan, Dr Adeyemi explained that the gesture was part of the social responsibilities of the Association to the society and promised that the Association would not relent in its efforts at assisting the less-previledges in the society.
The representatives of the two homes expressed gratitude to the Association for identifying with them and promised judicious utilization of donated items.
On violence against women, Dr Adeyemi pointed out that the Association is collaborating with other stakeholders to address the menace and encouraged Nigerians to join hands in order to eliminate violence against women and girls in the country.
The MWAN President said governments at all levels need to accommodate women so as to record developmental progress.
“This year’s campaign, Unite! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls is aimed at mobilising society to become activists for the prevention of violence against women, and to stand in solidarity with women’s rights”, she said.
The Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of Aids, OYSACA, Dr Lanre Abass, has advised Nigerians to imbibe a positive way of living by knowing their Human immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, status.
Dr Abass who gave the advice during a road walk in commemoration of 2022 World AIDS Day said the aim of the walk was to sensitize people on how to prevent contracting HIV.
He also noted that prompt medications could reduce the infections in the body of those infected.
The OYSACA Executive Secretary who led the Road Walk explained that HIV tests and treatment are free at government-owned medical facilities.
Dr Abass pointed out that about 32,000 persons in Oyo State were currently living with the virus with women having the highest number.
In an address, the wife of Oyo State and Chairperson of the Board of OYSACA, Mrs Tamunomini Makinde while lamenting the high number of women living with HIV, said all forms of Gender Based Violence, GBV especially against the female gender should be eradicated while advocating opportunity for womenfolk to negotiate safe sex even in marriage.
This, she noted, would help in achieving an HIV-free generation and ensure the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of the virus.
The Road Walk took off from the agency’s Office at Agodi and terminated at Bodija Market with free HIV Counseling and tests for traders.
Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria, AONN, Oyo State chapter has decried the rate of unreported cases of violence against women and vulnerable children in the society.
The association expressed the concern at a news briefing in Ibadan.
According to the association, the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey in 2018 found that nine per cent of women between the ages of 15 to 49 had suffered sexual assault at least once in their lifetime.
The coordinator, Mrs Petra Ogunfowokan enjoined federal and state governments and the private sector to create more centres where those violated could run to.
One of the speakers, Mr Abimola Lawal said most cases of Gender Based Violence, GBV, were due to social, economic, cultural, political and religious factors.
In the same vein, another speaker, Mrs Gloria Adeniran said Gender Based Violence in Nigeria could be curbed through sensitization.
Also, a member of the association, Mrs Rosemary Odigbo added that collaboration between the government and private sector would further help in stemming the tide of GBV in society.
The news briefing was part of activities for the 16-day activism against gender-based violence.
Addressing poverty, insecurity and economic challenges will enhance good nutrition nationwide, especially among women and children.
This was the submission of Stakeholders at a programme on Advocacy, Orientation and Consultative with High-Level Nutrition State Actors on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Programme Coordination and Implementation.
The event was held at the Oyo State Ministry of Health Conference Room, Ibadan.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning of Oyo State and Chairman of Nutrition Programme in the State, Mr Ademola Ajibola explained that for the country to achieve a balanced diet, it was necessary to encourage people to engage in small farming activities in their environments to reduce cases of Malnutrition.
“For us to get a balanced diet I think it is important for to us encourage small farming in our household. When we have a small farm at the back of our house it would be useful for us to complement the ones we bought at the market”.
Speaking in the same vein, Chairman, Oluyole Local Government, Mr Olaide Settle emphasized that governments needed to look inward for other approaches to achieve good nutrition and create sensitization programmes at the grassroots.
Also speaking, a pharmacist, Zubairu Umaru from the Federal Ministry of Health said the government is saddled with the responsibility of reducing malnutrition in the country with the procurement of ready-to-use therapeutic food to malnourished children.
“Our target is to reduce malnutrition to the barest minimum we cannot completely eliminate malnutrition and we would reduce it by 20 percent due to economic and poverty challenges.
Mr Umar who commended Oyo State Government for giving priority to nutrition in its yearly budget noted that the state had the highest number of malnourished children in the Southwest.
“The visit to Oyo State was because it has the highest burden of malnutrition in Southwest, and secondly, I want to commend Governor Seyi Makinde for keying into nutrition funding by including it in its yearly budget”.
Oyo state Coordinator of Nutrition, Mrs Omolara Oladeji said Nutrition is a collective effort in tackling the menace of malnutrition.
“I want all hands to be on deck to reduce malnutrition in Oyo “
Mrs Oladeji noted that Oyo State was selected among the 12 States to implement the nutrition project, and appreciated Governor Makinde for his efforts on it.
Accessible Health care facilities would help reduce Maternal and Child mortality rate among people in remote communities.
Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola stated this shortly after the inauguration of a three bedroom maternity center in Irewolede/Olomilagbala Community, constructed by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye.
Represented by the the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, Governor Oyetola explained that the Maternity Centre should be regarded as a collective property.
While commending the Speaker for constructing the Health facility, the state helmsman maintained that Political Office Holders are expected to give back to the people who placed them in the position of Authority in no small measure.
He stressed that the mutual understanding between the Legislative and Executive arms of government made his administration in the last four years a success.
In separate remarks, An All Progressive Congress, APC Chieftain in Ijesaland, Elder Kunle Odeyemi and Chairman Ilesa west, Mr. Olanrewaju Balogun said the love Hon. Owoeye have for the Community made him construct the Maternity Center worth Millions of Naira.
Elder Odeyemi and Mr.Balogun urged members of the community to maintain the facility.
Also speaking, the Host, Honourable Owoeye explained that Olomilagbala Community had existed more than four decades without a maternity center emphasized that people should see genuine representation in him, in other words ,if he is given another opportunity to serve, he would gladly do more for Ilesa West State Constituency.
National Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Disease,(NTD) Elimination Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Nsebong Akpan said the federal government is collaborating with the Christian Blind Mission, CBM to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases.
NTDs are found in several countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. NTDs are especially common in tropical areas or subtropical regions where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.
Examples are Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease), Lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted Helminths (i.e., Ascaris, Hookworm, and Whipworm), Trachoma
This he said was important in view of the record that about one hundred and twenty-two million Nigerians are suffering from these diseases
“a great number of Nigerians have these diseases but they are not cognizant of them, It is hoped that the country will eliminate the disease in less than ten years It takes teamwork to do this and everyone has a role to play”
Dr Akpan noted that those mainly affected are the poor and downtrodden, those living in rural communities, slums and shanties as well as those who practice open defecation.
Statistics show that about fifty-two point seven million people are at risk of Onchocerciasis or River Blindness while an estimated one point three six million people are at risk of Lymphatic Filariasis in Nigeria.
Although some states have made significant progress in the control of Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminth infections and trachoma, some states are still lagging behind.
In a bid to eliminate these diseases in four states of Oyo, Ogun, Rivers and Bayelsa, the federal government formally launched the “Accelerating Onchocerciasis and Filariasis Elimination in Nigeria Project in Ibadan, Oyo State in support of the Christian Blind Mission, CBM.
Apart from preventing these diseases as a public health problem, the project is also aimed at scaling up plans to meet the 2030 target stipulated by the World Health Organization, WHO, for disease elimination milestones.
In a remark Director, Inclusive Eye Health and NTDs at CBM, Dr Babar Qureshi promised that the mission will continue to work until everyone was protected against these diseases.
CBM is an international development organization working to transform the lives of people with disabilities.
An expert in Reproductive and Family Health, Mrs Abiola Adefolaju has advised Nigerians to take the complete dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Mrs Adefolaju stated this in Ibadan at a forum for stakeholders on Covid-19.
She noted that avoiding taking the Covid-19 vaccine due to fear of adverse reactions was improper as the vaccine was safe and effective.
Mrs Adefolaju urged those who has any adverse reaction to the vaccine to visit where they were vaccinated to get immediate relief.
Similarly, the Director Logistics, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Mr Kehinde Olabode said some of the challenges being encountered in the process of the Covid-19 vaccination are already being addressed.
Stakeholders at the event included Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs, religious leaders as well as the media.
About one point six million school-age children in 26 Local Governments in Oyo State are at risk of endemic diseases of Schistosomiasis.
National Coordinator of the NTDs, Dr Ńṣe Akpan stated this at the Flag off of the deworming exercise for beneficiaries of National Home Grown School Feeding programme held at IDC primary School, Gbagi, Ibadan.
Dr Akpan represented by Mr Rotimi Adegojun said NTDs intended to treat school children from 5 to 14 years and those who had not enrolled for Schistosomiasis.
“Federal Ministry of Health would continue to make this project an annual event, we want to deworm all our children in Oyo State both the enroll and non enroll no one will be left out”.
Also, speaking, the Zonal Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases South
West, Dr Ogunmola Olusola, who affirmed that most states in the country were affected with tropical diseases noted that with the deworming exercise in Oyo State, the endemic would reduce.
He said, “deworming activities take place almost every year in all the local governments, there 32 local governments in Oyo State that are endemic and almost all the country”.
In a remark, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouk explained that National Home-School Grown School Feeding Programme was one of the clusters under the Federal Government National Social Investment Programme aimed at providing one free nutritious meal a day to pupils of primaries 1 to 3 in public primary schools in the country.
Hajiya Farouk who was represented by Director, Social Development, Mr Taiwo Bashorun who noted that the Objectives of the NHGSFP were to increase school enrolment attendance and retention, improve the nutritional and health status of school children, stimulate local agriculture production and economy, provide empowerment opportunities for cooks.
The Minister urged all partners and stakeholders involved to act with greatest sense of diligence and professionalism to ensure children receive free deworming medications.
Also, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Rahman Abdulraheem, represented by Mrs Felicicia Oyerinde said cases of absenteeism at school had reduced
She added that 17th November and March 17th had been declared as deworming day to appreciate the support of School Home Grown Programme to improve the health of children.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Olabode Oladipo represented by Dr Oyewole Lawal while flagging off the deworming exercise said the routine was to complement the Federal Government’s efforts at feeding the school children and making them healthy.
Dr Oladipo explained that the programme was in partnership with Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Management Disaster and Social Development, Oyo State Ministry of Health and Evidence Of Action Nigeria.
Nigerians have been enjoined to go for regular medical check-ups to know their blood sugar level in order to prevent diabetes.
A medical doctor, Williams Afolabi gave the advice while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Ado-Ekiti on the commemoration of World Diabetes Day.
Dr Afolabi said anyone with frequent urination, abnormal thirst and hunger, boils and itching on some parts of the body as well as erection dysfunction should contact a medical practitioner for a proper diagnosis of diabetes.
The medical doctor said anyone whose parents are living with diabetes, those who eat too much carbohydrate, obese people, those with high blood pressure and pregnant women with gestational diabetes could develop diabetes.
He emphasized that diabetes could lead to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves, teeth as well as feet, hence the need to eat more protein, engage in exercise and avoid alcohol.
According to International Diabetes Federation, the disease affects one in ten people worldwide; stressing that understanding the condition is the first step towards managing and preventing it.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated every November 14, and the theme for this year is “Education to protect tomorrow”.
Oyo State government has called on parents and guardians to ensure their children are immunized against measles for healthy living.
The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Lawal made the call during the flag-off of immunization against measles at Oniyanrin primary Health care Inalende, Ibadan.
Mr Lawal who identified the benefits of immunization to children to include, prevention of deafness, high body temperature and dampness, commended the World Health Organisation, WHO, and United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, for being in the forefront in sustaining quality health care delivery.
“I’m pleading to parents and guardians to take good advantage of this opportunity to immunize your children to ensure that our children are healthy”.
Earlier, Oyo state Commissioner for Health, Dr Taiwo Oladipo explained that dry season is fast approaching, noting that there was the need to commence the immunization exercise to curb measles-related deaths in children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years.
He explained that it was also to demonstrate to its partners that the state is actually working with its goals and aspirations for women and children. “This is just a Flag-off you will see a movement of teams around the 33 local governments for the immunization.”
“The Federal government, State and partners really had to look into the provision of vaccination to ensure that children under 5 are actually well immunized”
In their goodwill messages, Zonal Cordinator, WHO, Dr Ayodeji Isiaka and Head of UNICEF in Oyo State, Mrs Ada Iseagwu, expressed their readiness to continue to support the State in strengthening its health services delivery.
Two parents, Mrs Blessings Joseph and Mrs Sekinat Olayiwola who spoke to Radio Nigeria expressed satisfaction with the immunization that was administered to their children to prevent unforeseen health challenges.
The Measles Immunization is expected to last for Eight days.
It is not unusual to hear people, not just the elderly, complain of back pain at one time or the other.
As people age, the structures of the human spine such as the joints, discs and ligaments, get stiffer.
Quite a number of factors account for back pain, this might be a result of simple strain to a muscle or ligament or it may be due to one or more of the following:
Poor posture
Lack of exercise results in stiffening of the spine and weak muscles
Muscle strains or sprains.
While drugs are helpful, exercise too could come to the rescue. Watch exercises that could come in handy.
