Category: Health

  • Pharm. Maryam’s dedication to advancing ​pharmaceutical services and patient well-being

    Pharm. Maryam’s dedication to advancing ​pharmaceutical services and patient well-being

    We recently had the honor of interviewing Pharm. Maryam, a dedicated pharmacist whose outstanding contributions to pharmaceutical services have been recognized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Bauchi State Chapter. Awarded for her selfless commitment to patient safety and well-being, Pharm. Maryam has made remarkable strides in transforming the pharmaceutical landscape, particularly in addressing health disparities, improving access to essential medications, and optimizing medication therapy management.

    Congratulations, Pharm. Maryam, on being recognized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Bauchi State Chapter, on World Pharmacists Day.

    Thank you very much. It’s an incredible honor to receive this recognition from the PSN, Bauchi Chapter. This award is not just a personal achievement; it is a testament to the importance of collaboration and the shared commitment of healthcare professionals to improving patient outcomes. I feel deeply humbled and inspired to continue my efforts in bridging healthcare disparities and advancing patient safety and well-being.

    Pharm. Maryam, your commitment to improving pharmaceutical care has earned you significant recognition. Could you share with us some of the key moments in your career that shaped your path?

    My journey has been driven by a deep sense of responsibility to make healthcare accessible and safe for all, particularly in underserved communities. A pivotal moment for me was during my time at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where I collaborated closely with clinicians to design disease management programs. This experience brought to light the importance of integrated pharmaceutical care in managing patient health. Ensuring patients receive the right medications and that those medications are used effectively has always been my priority.

    You’ve done an incredible amount of volunteer work to improve healthcare in underserved communities. What motivated you to take such a proactive role in addressing health disparities?

    Growing up, I saw firsthand the challenges people faced in accessing essential medicines. These barriers were often the result of poor supply chain management, stock-outs, and unaffordable medications. I decided to dedicate my career to ensuring that no one should face those obstacles. I’ve been fortunate to work with various stakeholders, from healthcare providers to community leaders, to address these issues directly. By volunteering my time and expertise, we’ve been able to bridge gaps in access, and create more equitable healthcare, and improve health outcomes.

    Your efforts in Medication Therapy Management (MTM) have also been significant in preventing adverse drug reactions. How has MTM shaped your approach to patient care?

    Medication Therapy Management is an essential aspect of patient care. It’s not just about dispensing medications but about ensuring the patient’s therapy is optimal. I’ve worked closely with both patients and healthcare teams to ensure that drug interactions are avoided, adverse reactions are minimized, and the patient receives the most effective treatment. In ATBUTH, my work in MTM has directly contributed to preventing potential harm to patients by tailoring drug therapies to their specific needs.

    How has your research contributed to addressing disparities in pharmaceutical access and healthcare delivery?

    My research focuses on using real-world evidence to understand and address gaps in pharmaceutical access. Through analyzing patient data, we’ve identified systemic barriers, such as supply chain inefficiencies and affordability challenges, that hinder access to essential pharmaceuticals. This research has informed strategies to optimize procurement processes, reduce stock-outs, and streamline prescription practices. I’ve also worked on initiatives to educate patients and healthcare providers about safe medication use, further bridging the gap between access and effective healthcare delivery.

    Your achievements have led to an impressive career. Can you tell us a bit about your academic journey and how it has influenced your work in pharmaceutical services?

    I’ve always believed that continuous learning is key to improving healthcare services. After earning my bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Ahmadu Bello University, I pursued a master’s degree in health economics at Bayero University Kano. This academic journey deepened my understanding of how healthcare systems operate and how I could use that knowledge to influence pharmaceutical practices. My PhD journey in Public Health at the Medical College of Wisconsin continues to refine my skills and knowledge to address the most pressing health issues, particularly those related to access and equity in improving patient outcomes.

    What advice would you give to young pharmacists or healthcare professionals who aspire to make a difference in their communities?

    My advice is simple: prioritize the needs of the community, remain innovative, and never stop learning. The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and staying informed allows us to address emerging challenges effectively. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and explore innovative solutions to address the issues you care most about. Above all, always put the patient first – their safety, well-being, and access to care should be your guiding principles.

    Thank you, for your time and for the incredible work you’re doing to transform healthcare delivery. Congratulations once again.

    Thank you so much. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.

  • Taming health challenges from Maiduguri’s flooding

    Taming health challenges from Maiduguri’s flooding

    The recent flooding in Maiduguri has unleashed widespread devastation, disrupting lives and infrastructure. As the waters recede, the urgent need to address the associated health crises must take centre stage. Flooding, while a natural phenomenon, has profound implications for public health that demand immediate and coordinated action.

    One of the most pressing concerns following a flood is the outbreak of waterborne diseases. Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for pathogens, significantly heightening the risk of cholera, dysentery and other illnesses. The lack of access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation exacerbates this threat. Therefore, immediate steps must be taken to ensure that affected communities have access to safe drinking water. Local health authorities should prioritise restoring and reinforcing water purification systems. This includes distributing hygiene kits to vulnerable communities and initiating public education campaigns that raise awareness about safe water practices and hygiene. Empowering residents with knowledge can make a significant difference in protecting themselves and their families from waterborne diseases. Communities must be engaged in these efforts to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for their health.

    The flooding has severely impacted healthcare infrastructure, potentially crippling essential services at a time when they are most needed. Many clinics may be damaged or inaccessible, jeopardising the health of those relying on routine medical care. The government, along with humanitarian organisations, must act quickly to mobilise resources. Deploying mobile clinics and establishing temporary healthcare facilities are crucial steps to reach affected populations. Ensuring continuity of care, particularly for maternal and child health services, is critical. Vaccination campaigns must also be prioritised to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. As health systems struggle to recover, maintaining a focus on routine immunisations and maternal health is essential to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.

    Mental health is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of disaster recovery. The trauma experienced during such disasters can leave lasting scars on the psyche of affected individuals. It is vital to integrate mental health support into recovery efforts, offering counseling and community-based interventions to help residents process their experiences and rebuild their lives. Mental health professionals must be part of the response team, providing the necessary support for those in distress. Trauma-informed care should be a foundational element of recovery strategies, recognising that emotional and psychological health is as vital as physical health in the aftermath of a disaster. By addressing mental health alongside physical health needs, the community can foster resilience and improve overall well-being.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s cycle of cruelty

    The flooding has exacerbated existing health inequities, disproportionately affecting marginalised populations, including the elderly, children and those with pre-existing conditions. A targeted approach is essential to ensure these groups receive appropriate care and support during recovery. This includes not only immediate medical attention but also long-term follow-up to monitor their health outcomes. Community health workers can play a pivotal role in identifying vulnerable populations and providing tailored support. By understanding the unique challenges faced by different groups, health initiatives can be designed to address their specific needs effectively.

    The pathway to recovery must involve collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders. A coordinated response will maximise the impact of interventions, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and that local communities are engaged in the recovery process. Building trust and fostering communication will enhance the effectiveness of recovery efforts and help establish long-term health strategies. Local communities must be included in the decision-making processes related to health interventions. Their insights can guide the development of culturally appropriate solutions that resonate with community values and practices.

    This disaster serves as a wake-up call, emphasising the necessity for resilient public health systems. Proactive measures, including improved disaster preparedness, infrastructure investments, and comprehensive training for healthcare workers, can mitigate the health impacts of future floods. Establishing early warning systems and community response protocols will enhance Maiduguri’s resilience against similar challenges. Public health policy should prioritise building infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events. Investing in drainage systems, sustainable urban planning, and disaster response training for health workers will not only address current challenges but also fortify the community for future emergencies.

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has already initiated critical steps to mitigate health risks following the flooding. Its recent mop-up operation across several key markets in Maiduguri aimed to remove drugs and food items contaminated by floodwaters, preventing their re-introduction into sales. This initiative aimed to remove drugs and food items contaminated by recent floodwaters to prevent their reintroduction into the market, thereby reducing the risk of disease outbreaks. The mop-up operation took place across several key locations, including Gamboru Drug and Food Market, Monday Market, Open Air-Theatre Drug Market, and Gwange Drug Market. This initiative is essential in safeguarding public health and preventing potential outbreaks of diseases. During the operation, NAFDAC officials meticulously inspected and removed compromised items valued at over ive billion naira. This swift action is crucial to ensure that only safe and uncontaminated products are available to the public. Additionally, NAFDAC provided guidelines to market vendors and the public on identifying and handling potentially contaminated products in the future.

    As Maiduguri begins its recovery journey, we must prioritise health as an integral component of that process. Addressing the health challenges stemming from the flooding requires a holistic approach, focusing on disease prevention, healthcare restoration, mental health support, and equitable access to care. By fostering collaboration and investing in resilient public health systems, we can ensure that the community not only recovers but emerges stronger and more prepared for future challenges. The time to act is now. We must commit to safeguarding the health and well-being of our community in the face of adversity, leveraging this crisis as an opportunity to build a healthier, more resilient Maiduguri for all its residents.

  • U.S. CDC trains Nigeria’s medical workers on public emergency management

    U.S. CDC trains Nigeria’s medical workers on public emergency management

    In a concerted effort to enhance Nigeria’s capacity for public health emergency preparedness and response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently conducted training for a new cohort of medical workers. The graduation ceremony for 55 public health experts was held in Lagos, coinciding with a media roundtable that showcased the programme’s achievements.

    Dr. Farah Husain, Director of the U.S. CDC Global Health Protection, underscored the agency’s unwavering commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s Global Health Security Agenda and reaching the targets set for 2024. In her address, Dr. Husain highlighted the U.S. CDC’s commitment to enhancing the capacity for national and state-level responses to disease outbreaks through its Global Health Security funding. She emphasised the importance of collaboration with Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, state ministries of health, and various implementing partners. This joint initiative is designed to strengthen workforce capabilities and ensure compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR), ultimately enhancing Nigeria’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

    Read Also: Only losers cry

     “CDC will continue to collaborate with Nigeria and Centre for Disease and Control, state ministries of health and CDC implementing partners to deliver this important programme and help strengthen work capacities outlines and the IHR requirements for improved disease outbreak response in Nigeria,” she said.

    Dr. Muhammad Saleh of the U.S. CDC emphasised the critical need to enhance the capacity of public health experts in emergency preparedness and response, especially given Nigeria’s ongoing experience with multiple disease outbreaks. He underscored that strengthening this capacity is essential for effectively managing and mitigating the impact of these health crises. Dr. Saleh emphasised the urgent need for capacity building, especially as Nigeria grapples with health challenges such as meningitis, diphtheria, and the lasting impacts of COVID-19. This media engagement served to underscore the collaborative efforts between the U.S. CDC and the Nigerian government, showcasing the graduates of the CDC-supported Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) programme.

    The PHEM programme is a pivotal component of U.S. efforts to support Nigeria in strengthening its public health infrastructure. Dr. Saleh noted that while the CDC has trained a total of 223 international PHEM fellows from 49 countries, only seven of these have been from Nigeria. This discrepancy highlights the pressing need to bolster local capacity, particularly for the effective functioning of Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs) across the country. “Nigeria has been a partner in the Global Health Security Agenda since 2019, committing to safeguard against global health threats posed by infectious diseases,” Dr. Saleh stated. This partnership is vital as Nigeria continues to face increasing health challenges, necessitating a robust and well-prepared public health workforce.

    The primary objective of the PHEM programme is to equip health workers with the skills necessary to respond to catastrophic events, including pandemics and natural disasters. Dr. Saleh explained that the programme significantly enhances public health personnel’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward emergencies, fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience among stakeholders. “Since its inception in 2017, over 200 Nigerian public health staff have completed this training,” Dr. Saleh revealed. He elaborated that the programme has proven effective in improving Nigeria’s capacity to manage outbreaks of critical diseases, including meningitis, diphtheria, and COVID-19.

    When discussing the impact of U.S. investments in Nigeria’s public health infrastructure, Dr. Saleh noted substantial returns, particularly in outbreak detection and management. The programme has facilitated regional and international knowledge sharing, resulting in Nigeria’s improvement in joint external evaluations from 39 per cent to 54 per cent. “The U.S. government has contributed over $2 million to support these efforts, with over 200 public health staff graduating from the PHEM programme since 2017. These graduates have played a crucial role in managing outbreaks, leading to the detection of more than 1,134 cases of meningitis alone,” he added.

    The commitment of U.S. CDC leadership to Nigeria’s public health development was also a focal point of the event. Dr. Husain, the Director of the U.S. CDC Division of Global Health Protection, reiterated the CDC’s dedication to preventing, detecting, and responding to public health threats. She underscored the importance of collaborative approaches in enhancing emergency management capabilities. Husain called for sustained collaboration, assuring attendees that the U.S. government would continue its support for Nigeria’s capacity-building efforts. “Our commitment extends beyond training; we aim to implement strategies that reinforce the entire public health infrastructure,” she stated.

    Dr. John Oladejo, Director of Special Duties at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), provided insights into the curriculum of the PHEM training. He emphasised that the programme is designed to equip participants with essential skills and competencies for coordinating emergency management activities during disease outbreaks. “The training encompasses various critical aspects of public health emergency management, including Incident Management Systems (IMS), planning, logistics, and data management,” Dr. Oladejo explained. He further detailed how the training prepares participants to activate the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and manage surveillance data from different states effectively.

    The PHEM training is structured into several levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. The basic training consists of eight hours of instruction, while the intermediate training spans 16 hours, culminating in a comprehensive five-day in-person session. Dr. Oladejo emphasised the EOC’s vital role in vigilant surveillance and outbreak management, stating that it is essential for coordinating activities such as risk assessments and data management during public health emergencies. “The collaborative nature of emergency management helps break down silos within health organisations, enhancing Nigeria’s overall capacity to defend public health,” he noted. This integrative approach is critical for effective outbreak response and management.

  • Radiation, health, Bill Gates and diseases

    Radiation, health, Bill Gates and diseases

    Since my teenage age, about 60 years ago, I have hated to share clothes, shoes, towels, bath soap and other personal effects.  I did  not really know why, until about 1977 when I began to learn  about RADIATION, especially radiation of the human blood. Even then, all I knew about RIADATION was that  EVERYTHING radiated and was RADIATION covered on the outside by dense or coarse cross matter to make  it  tangible to physical life. In other words, my body is a coarse covering for my essence which  is not physical. So is yours or of the dog or goat you see in the street every day.  I became more aware of what radiation could be about when I reared rabbits, pigs and native chickens in the 1990s.

    Rabbits

     I farmed my rabbits in galvanised iron cages in the  backyard of my  residence in Lagos. The floor of the cage was made  to let urine and poop to  easily  drop to the earth below. Sometimes,  tiny baby rabbits do drop as well from the side mesh.  This  may offer the inexperienced rabbit farmer  his or her first lesson in  INTRODUCTION TO RADIATION. If the uninitiated farmer stupidly picks the fallen babies rabbits with bare hand and returns them to the safety of the cage,he or she is likely to find them dead soon after for the mother rabbit would reject them. Why does it do this? Something from the hand of the farmer who picked  these rabbits babies and put them into the cage had rubbed on them, coated or enveloped them. The mother rabbit detected this through whatever faculty. What it detected is HUMAN RADIATION!

    Human radiation, like plant or animal radiation, is an interesting subject, like the radiation of precious stones which are making the waves today as QUANTUM ENERGY in all sorts of gadgets to promote human health  in health or states of disease.

    Pigs

    On the pig farms of that decade, I, also, encountered RADIATION experience. The pig farmer itches to make money from this animal which proliferates like the rabbit. A female pig, known as a sow, may produce a litter of about 8 or 10  piglets or more.  It is allowed about three months to wean them off breast milk before it is prepared for mating by a boar, the male pig. The mating and the next round of birth takes about three months, three weeks and three days. The due date is written on the wall of the pen to enable the pig farmer to remember when to generously load food for the pregnant sow. If the piglets drop and the sow is hungry, this could  be a financial disaster for the farmer, for the hungry pig mother  could eat all of its young ones especially if they came  in the night when no  one was around.  That is not where we are heading. Where we are going is  that,if  one sow produces only two or three piglets, which the farmer may consider a waste of his time, energy, feed cost e.tc, and the farmer wishes to quickly return the “unproductive” animal for mating, how would the piglets be looked after if they are not sent to a foster pig mother? A frustrated  farmer would put these piglets among the piglets of a productive  pig mother whose piglets are close in age and size. The foster pig mother would not  complain if the farmer can deceive it. If  the farmer stupidly picks the piglets with bare hands,the foster piglet mother may not complain as yet. To breast feed  its piglets periodically when they grumble for breast milk, the mother pig lays on one side of its body to expose two long rows of breasts which may number about 10 or more, depending on breed and genetic. All the piglets would rush all over it,jostling and  pushing, some greedily abandoning reproductive breast for another from which they push away the weaker piglet. Soon, the amazing happens. When the mother pig feels the mouth or suck of a piglet not its own,it rises, pushes away the alien piglets and, if they would not stand away, bites or kills them! It has smelled, like the mother  rabbits, human hand on them! Wise farmers do one or two things to deceive the foster pig mother. They rub their hands on the body of the mother pig for some minutes as if they are caressing  it. Then, with  the bare hands, they do the same  for the alien pigs. Another method  is to wear a cellophane  hand gloves and caress both mother and piglet before the transfer. When this is done,  the foster  mother nursed  the “foreign” pig to term!

    Read Also: Outrage over overcrowded exam conditions at Osun Polytechnic

    Again, this is evidence that the human body produces something many of us are not much aware of but which, nevertheless, is crucial for our existence and health.

    Chicken

    When two hens are foraging with their young ones in a limited space, the tendency exists for the young ones to mix  up. However, when the hens separate, each one can tell which  strayed  into the ranks of its own. These ones are often picked until they leave the fold.

    The cat

    I cannot forget my experience with a mother cat. It had its kittens one night near the entrance door of my house. I was careful to not disturb it and the kittens. My gardener was too excited when he saw the kittens without their mother. He took them away for nursing and sell whenever they grow up. I warned him to return them lest the mother cat get offended and violent.  He did. When the mother cat return, it walked away from the kitten. It must have smelled the hands of my gardener on them!

    Stale house

    Permit me to offer one more example before I proceed. If you leave in a big house of many rooms, some of which you rarely visit, you are likely to find them to be stale or deteriorated. This is because they need something from human presence to keep fresh. That stuff is RADIATION. That is what the cat, like the dog, comes to you for when it lurks around you or sit in your couch. That was what the Bible reports that the woman with the issue of blood tapped from the garmet of the Lord  Jesus, to heal her bleeding of several years which could be bleeding uterine fibroids or endometriosis! Please, permit again that I  digress a little once more, for this is an interesting subject, and I am remembering many things. Snail farmers do not touch snails’ eggs with bare hands, otherwise they may not hatch. Rather, spoons are  used to scoop them from one point to another. Have we wondered why some plants cultivated together do not thrive, or one does  but the  other is stunted, and those not antagonistic of each other jubilantly grow luxuriantly? What about the placenta of a new born human baby? Why do parents of old hide them to  bury in the earth when no one else can find them? In city hospital today, placenta is mingled and  deposed anyhow. Yet this is a bundle of radiation to which every newborn is linked for sometime!  In the Europe of old, a plant was grown on the site where a baby’s placenta was buried. If as an adult the child was out of town, the performance of this plant was said to inform his or her parent about his or her well being. In Africa, the placenta may be an object of diabolical practice to harm its owner since they are connected by waves of radiation through which negative energy may flow either and tither. The use of human parts for rituals is also tied to the manipulation of human radiation. Nor can we separate human radiation from the practice of using the bath water of corpses for whatever purposes public mortuary attendants sell it for. In polygamous homes, there are stories of wives or other persons taking the personal effects of their “enemies”  to traditional medicine men. A few years ago, dust bins scavengers hunted used menstrual pads for diabolical ends.

    Used clothes

    As I stated earlier, I disliked exchanging clothes and other personal effects with anyone since my teenage years. Let, I learned this must have come  from a knowledge of its possible detrimental effect acquired long,long ago. As the encounter of the woman with the issue of blood with the lord Jesus made us to realise, human radiation suffuses our clothes and link us with them, even when we put them aside, though for a limited time. This is why I advised that imported used clothes should not be worn by persons who love themselves, and should not be bought  for children. We do not know what diseases  their owners  suffered from or are still suffering from, and  which negative karmaic misfortunes are governing their existence.

    Across The RADIATION BRIDGE from the owners of these clothes, all sorts of energy can be transported to the new owners until, over time,the bridge break down.

    Kissing

    In the same manner that clothes may transfer hostile radiation and misfortune(s), kissing may also be inimical, especially as it is involves the exchange of body fluids infused with PERSONAL RADIATION. For the same reason, men who sexually jump on just about any woman and women who do likewise may be imperilled because an exchange  of radiations is involved in the act. If the radiations are not homogeneous and  complementary, one may suck up the other, antagonise or annihilate it, causing illness,social and economic mishaps, among other negative harvests.

    I gave kissing a second thought about the age of 26 after an experience with one  woman. Whenever the subject came up and we young ones  berated the frozen look  of my maternal grand mother as belonging to an uncivilised generation, I knew within me that she was right. Ordinary, the mouth was supposed to be warm and a deep kiss exciting, relaxing, erotic and all of that. On the day in  question, I encountered a cold, bitter mouth. I couldn’t tolerate the saliva, but I forced it down to not embarrass her. There were eruptions of disagreement in my stomach and gut. I pretended a trip to the loo to ease my bladder. I rise  my mouth and even gargled, but it was too late. Literally speaking, I had swallowed her and she had swallowed me.  When she was gone,I gulped two glasses of Andrews Liver Salt solution to clean up. If this could help, I did not  know. Early this week, I asked Artificial intelligence (AI) about the human mouth genome, that is the population of different germs therein , all vibrating and radiating against one another.

    AI said:

    “The human mouth is home to a diverse population of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Here’s an overview of the estimated population of germ species in the human mouth:

    Bacteria:

    •Estimated species: 700-1,000

    •Dominant phyla:

    •Firmicutes (30-40%)

    •Bacteroidetes (20-30%)

    •Proteobacteria (15-25%)

    •Actinobacteria (10-20%)

    •Notable species:

    •Streptococcus mutans (associated with tooth decay)

    •Porphyromonas gingivalis (associated with periodontal disease)

     •Fusobacterium nucleatum (associated with periodontal disease and colorectal cancer)

    Viruses:

    •Estimated species: 100-200

    •Dominant families:

    •Herpesviridae (e.g., HSV-1, HSV-2)

    •Adenoviridae (e.g., human adenovirus)

    •Papovaviridae (e.g., human papillomavirus)

    •Notable species:

    •Human herpesvirus 1 (HSV-1, associated with oral herpes)

    •Human adenovirus (associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections)

    Fungi:

    •Estimated species: 100-200

    •Dominant genera:

    •Candida (e.g., Candida albicans)

    •Aspergillus (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus)

    •Fusarium (e.g., Fusarium oxysporum)

    •Notable species:

    •Candida albicans (associated with oral thrush)

    Protozoa:

    •Estimated species: 10-50

    •Dominant genera:

    •Entamoeba (e.g., Entamoeba gingivalis)

    •Trichomonas (e.g., Trichomonas tenax)

    •Notable species:

    •Entamoeba gingivalis (associated with periodontal disease)”..

    Origin of radiation

    If the Lord Jesus Radiated through His  Garment and later transfigured in Gethsemane,the origin of Radiation must be God. He is THE LIGHT of the worlds.  Light radiates. Actually, everything which exists were contained in the Radiations of God. We the human species, were Sparks of light  in His Radiations. Sparks from firewood fire  soon die out. We were mantained and brought to the earth to develop our Sparks into living flames of human spirit specie for  which He  created the worlds of the human spirits, PARADISE.

    In our downward journey, we were wrapped in different materials, each one corresponding to every world or realm of existence we journeyed through. On earth, we took on the covering of the earth, gross matter. With this covering,we became  EARTH-MEN. When we drop the earth body upon its death, we the  human spirits, together with the other coverings, are known as  HUMAN SOULS. When we drop the last of all of the other coverings and enter Paradise as spirit flames, vibrating and radiating at the highest volatages for our species, we are known as HUMAN SPIRITS and Paradise as the spiritual Realms or spiritual worlds.

    A departing human soul, vibrating and radiating, is not a GHOST, as is often  assumed. What people call a GHOST is an  intermediate covering  between the earth covering and the next gradation of material  covering. Some person call it THE ASTRAL BODY. As the SOUL moved away from the discarded earth-body, it drags out  along  for a while the ASTRAL BODY. This body was the body on which the blue-print of the Soul body was made for the earth-body to grow  after as a look-alike. This is the body which is often impacted in dreams and reflects its damage later on the earth body through a process of Radiation. Without the soul, the Ghost body has no life. It soon fall apart and disintegrates.

    Human radiation

    As started, the Human Spiritual species  originates from the Light Sparks in the radiation of God. They are not God, bear no content of Him except that they are Sparks from  out of His Radiation. Coming from the Radiation, they, too, radiate. In fact, everything radiates. ..tress, rivers, the earth, plants, the sun and the stars, animals, Nature beings, elemental beings e.t.c. Before the spiritual species became Earth- men, a species of Animistic beings developed the lifeless Void at God’s command into  life-supporting realms. These beings glowed (Radiated) through the material overings,animated them and moulded them into forms, such as planets, solar systems, galaxies e.t.c. The glowing through an animation made them all come alive. Coming from worlds higher than these Animistic forces and imbued with more power, the human spiritual species as well glowed through these material forms which embodied them.

    Thus, the radiation of the body of the earth-men, that is you and I, encompasses the glowing through each of its cloaks. The radiation of each cloak glowed through is transformed and radiated to the radiation combination or product of which is similarly transformed. The final covering, the earth body, animated by the animistic forces, also radiates is existence into the universe as its own peculiar signature tune. It maintains its radiations through the  ingestion of the right kids of foods and drinks and by absorbing cosmic and other radiations. It  blends them  into one harmonious whole from which the blood is composed . The blood, in turn, produces the radiation which offers the in-dwelling human spirit, that is, you and I, a bridge across which its manifest in the physical world. The blood radiation changes with every change in the blood composition which, in turn, causes changes in the temperament. If its radiation is too low or poor, the spirit cannot work with it or in it and the body just fall away in death for the spirit or the soul to go its way. Sometimes, the blood radiation is so poor that it permits earth-bound soul to enter the body through it, push the owner-soul aside and take over some parts of the brain in a disease type called POSSESSION and also  manifest as BI-POLAR (Split personality) mental disorder. This is not lunacy or madness as many persons, including  even  unknowing psychiatrists imagine, and is easily curable with restoration of the blood radiation to normal. I intend to give more hints on this subject next month during the 2024 worlds Mental Health Day.

  • Maternal, infant health: Seyi Tinubu intensifies intervention for indigent women, children

    Maternal, infant health: Seyi Tinubu intensifies intervention for indigent women, children

    ….as drug bank births in Abuja FMC

    Seyi Tinubu has stated that tackling the economic challenges faced by indigent women is essential to reducing maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.

    He emphasised that lowering the country’s global ranking in maternal and infant mortality requires concerted efforts to ensure access to quality healthcare for indigent women and their children.

    Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu, explained that it was in support of this goal that he initiated the Drug Banks for Indigent Patients in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatric Pharmacy Intervention for Infant and Maternal Healthcare for 60 tertiary health institutions nationwide.

    The objective is to provide essential medications for 10,000 indigent patients monthly to bridge the healthcare gap for vulnerable women and children.

    Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during the donation of drugs and other medical consumables to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Seyi Tinubu also reiterated his determination to cover the 60 health facilities within the year in time for the second phase to begin in earnest.

    Upon completing the first phase, the project will progress to its second phase, broadening its scope to include research.

    Represented by Ojeje Amin Onimisi, he disclosed that the ability to provide quality healthcare services ranked high in the selection of beneficiary tertiary health institutions.

    “Our choice of tertiary health care institution is to make sure that these drugs are domiciled in institutions, or the program starts in institutions that already have an established structure that we are very sure can manage these interventions.

    Read Also: Seyi Tinubu donates drugs to reduce maternal, child mortality 

    “We are happy to give this drug bank here, and we are very optimistic the drugs will be used judiciously to reduce maternal and child mortality, which is the primary objective of the project

    “Time is of the essence. We want to make sure that the entire 60 hospitals are covered before the end of the year so that we can enter the second phase by next year,” he said.

    Onimisi, who noted that the donation demonstrates Seyi Tinubu’s commitment to giving back to the community and supporting Nigeria’s healthcare sector, said, “His generosity will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the lives of many Nigerians.”

    The National Coordinator of the project, Benson Cole, who noted that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, added that Seyi Tinubu is proud to support the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja in providing excellent care to Nigerians.

    Revealing that with time, the project would institute some research to make the initiative more robust, Cole said: “Mr. Seyi Tinubu is quite frankly not happy with the infant mortality rate that we have. The maternal mortality rate that we have, as you heard earlier, is the fourth largest in the world.

    “Our indices are not good enough, and so this intervention is aimed at reducing the maternal and infant mortality figures in Nigeria, which is quite woeful at this moment.

    “So this is the passion that Mr. Seyi Tinubu has to assist, especially the caregivers, in rendering care to the indigent patients who cannot afford to pay at a time of need, and then end up contributing to these unfortunate statistics, simply because they couldn’t afford care, and then most of the time they pass away in the process of abandonment.”

    The Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Saad Ahmed, appreciated the gesture of Seyi Tinubu while assuring him to utilize the donation for the purposes it was meant for.

    Ahmed, who was represented by the Head of Clinical Services, Bioku Muftau, said: “We are deeply grateful to Mr Seyi Tinubu for this generous donation, this gesture will significantly enhance our capacity to provide quality care to our patients and support Nigeria’s healthcare system, especially the indigent patients, Maternal and Child Care health services.”

    As part of the project, a N1m scholarship was also awarded to Mohammed Fatimah, for emerging as the best Resident Doctor in the Paediatric Unit.

  • Health experts warn against stigmatisating, demonising old people

    Health experts warn against stigmatisating, demonising old people

    Health professionals have warned against stigmatisation and demonisation of older people, saying they are not witches or wizards but exhibiting some medical conditions associated with old age.

    The experts made the call during the street sensitisation at Oje market and distribution of food items to old people in Ibadan in commemoration of the World Alzheimer’s Day

    The Health professionals include Dr. Olufisayo Elugbadebo, a Geriatric Psychiatrist at the University College Hospital (UCH), and Olajoke Akinyemi, a public health expert and the programme coordinator at Brain Health Initiative Nigeria.

    The event had as theme: “Time to Act on Dementia, Time to Act on Alzheimer’s”. September 21 every year is tagged World Alzheimer’s Day.

    Dr. Elugbadebo, who is the Vice President of Brain Health Initiative Nigeria, spoke on behalf of the organisation’s President, Dr. Temitope Farombi.

    Farombi is also a consultant neurologist at the UCH.

    Elugbadebo said: “We run a memory clinic where we care for people living with dementia. For us in this part of the world, it actually means a lot.  A lot of people still don’t know much about dementia and what one doesn’t know can’t act on. The theme of this year says time to act on dementia , time to act on Alzheimer’s. There is a lot to know about dementia so that we can take the right action to mitigate the effects of dementia in our society.

    “Signs of dementia include memory problems, forgetfulness, disorientation, difficulty in performing simple tasks, poor judgment, difficulty in naming things, incoherence, behaviourial and mode changes, identifying people, and others.

    ‘’To handle the issue, the first thing is to hand a lot of information on what dementia is and what it is not. And to know that early diagnosis and treatment are very important. After diagnosis, we should access post-diagnosis support and treatment. It can be managed and take care of the risk support for them to still live relatively good quality life.

    ‘’We had a campaign initiated by Dr. Farombi, which is dementia is not witchcraft. The society needs to be aware that these symptoms are not witchcraft. 

    ”We need to change our orientation and know that these are medical conditions  that need attention. And we don’t have to stigimatise those have dementia but give them more support’’.

    On her part, Akinyemi decried the  stigmatisation of old  people suffering from dementia by  tagged them  witches.

    The programme coordinator said it is hogwash to label elderly living with dementia as individuals whose nemesis of past deeds is catching up with.

    She maintained that such a submission is one of the uninformed perception that Brain Health Initiative Nigeria has been trying  to correct. 

    Read Also: Mental health experts link rising suicide rates to socioeconomic challenges

    The public health professional said elderly people should be properly treated.

    Akinyemi said: “The vision of the organisation is to improve awareness and change  wrong perceptions  on dementia and stroke. September is usually the day assigned for the commemoration of  World Alzheimer’s Day.

     “This programme is to create more awareness on dementia which is mostly common among the elderly people. That is why we are doing the programme among the elderly ones.

    “There is a lot of stigmatisation in the community, whereby people suffering from dementia are tagged witches whose nemesis is catching up with due to their past deeds. That is an uninformed perception which is one of the things we are trying to correct”.

  • Beware, AI medical prescriptions may be dangerous, health practitioners warn

    Beware, AI medical prescriptions may be dangerous, health practitioners warn

    Public health practitioners under the aegis of Health Promotion and Education, Alumni Association, Ibadan College of Medicine, have warned people against the practice of relying on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in taking medical prescriptions, noting that such practice may be injurious to health.

    They said the practice where people consult the internet instead of consulting qualified medical practitioners is on the rise, warning that medications prescribed by the AI or sourced online may not take recourse to the medical history of patients and may cause more harm to people.

    The experts, stakeholders, leaders, and elders in the field spoke in their separate remarks on Tuesday at the opening of the 2nd Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of under the aegis of Health Promotion and Education, Alumni Association, Ibadan College of Medicine.

    The 2-day Conference themed “Artificial Intelligence and Innovations in Public Health is held at Koltotel Hotel, Ikolaba, Ibadan.

    Speaking, the President of the Association, Dr Bright Orji said AI has come to stay and there is a need for moderation in its usage, particularly for public health consumers, and practitioners alike.

    He said the conference seeks to open the eyes of the stakeholders in the public health sector to the various possibilities inherent in AI as it relates to public health and safety and how practitioners can also leverage the tools for improved service delivery while calling their attention to the various pitfalls.

    Dr Orji said: “The reason we want to do this is so that everyone is well abreast of what to do. You can observe that even the social media is being misused and abused. So it’s very important that a whole lot of information and of course, there is disinformation in the age that we live in today.

    “The emergence of Covid, and Ebola taught us great lessons. In fact, during the period of Ebola people were drinking bags of salt as a way to prevent it. But you can see that that information is abused, it’s not the way it should be. So what we are doing now is to ensure that Artificial intelligence is properly deployed and also we should have regulations on how AI should really be used so that people can use it, benefit from it, and use it to improve our society and improve the lives of mankind.

    “Many people believe in AI and what we’re saying is the fact that they should use it appropriately. With AI, there are so many things you can do in a second. So this is part of the benefit we want to ensure. With AI, Medical doctors going on ward rounds can be assisted to ensure that their ward round is facilitated, evidence-based, and can improve the lives of their patients using the deployment of AI.”

    Also speaking, the President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide, Professor Emmanuel Otolorin said although AI comes with a lot of opportunities that can be harnessed, public health consumers and practitioners must also be aware that AI can hallucinate and create what doesn’t exit.

    He warned public health practitioners not to fall for seeing AI as all-knowing while also assuring that AI cannot take the place of professionals.

    Professor Otolorin said: “Artificial intelligence comes with a lot of opportunities that can be deployed to improve health care delivery. Yes, it might make the work of healthcare providers easier but also we have to be very careful in how we deploy the numerous tools that are available on the AI platform.

    “There are tools for processes that can be applied in health care delivery and I think that we’re quite new in the process now but over time people are going to be dissecting the different applications that are there and see how they can be deployed, of course they can also be abused.

    “We have to be careful that people don’t begin to use AI in place of health care workers because some AI tools, I would say, hallucinate.

    “My son is a computer scientist and he actually showed me how an AI tool created a drug that doesn’t exist. And in describing side effects of the drug that actually doesn’t exist. So AI can hallucinate. So you have to be a content expert to know what it’s talking about.

    “So if you use an AI tool and you ask it to do something, you have to be knowledgeable enough to know that what it had done is correct and not just adopt it.”

    He said the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council will deal decisively with medical practitioners who make mistakes on account of using AI

    “If a healthcare worker makes a mistake and tries to blame AI, he or she will be in trouble with the Medical and Dental Council. We go to medical school to be taught how to identify patients with problems, analyze the problems, consider multiple solutions, and choose the best option for the patient.

    Read Also: Seyi Tinubu, brother, friends donate to Maiduguri flood victims

    “You cannot hand it over to AI and then if something goes wrong, you’ll be in problem with the Medical and Dental Council. Of course, there are many quacks out there now who are using AI. There have been quacks even before AI came on board who are masquerading as doctors they are all over the place in every healthcare profession, not just doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and pharmacists, quacks are everywhere, and you have to be careful.

    “Patients too have to be careful because there are now some people who use Google as their doctor and when you make Google your doctor, you have to be responsible for what happens to you, especially in a country where pharmacists will sell you any drug without a prescription.

    “So if you go and google and say I have a headache and Google says, do this, do this, you go to the pharmacist they sell it to you and you buy it and use it, who knows what you have? Maybe you have a tumor in the brain that Google never knew about and you’re taking some drugs that Google has recommended. So we have to be very careful”, Professor Otolorin added.

  • FG moves to eliminate rabies by 2030

    FG moves to eliminate rabies by 2030

    The federal government is set to launch a nationwide dog vaccination campaign as part of its national strategic plan to eliminate rabies, it emerged on Tuesday, September 24.

    The initiative which aims to eradicate rabies in the country, aligns with the global goal of eliminating the disease as a public health threat by 2030.

    Also, the government has disclosed plans to establish a dog registry, with regulations that hold owners accountable to better manage animal movement across the country.

    According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), around 10,000 people are infected with rabies annually, with Gombe, Plateau, Kano, and Cross River recording rising cases of human deaths due to the disease, which highlights the urgency of the situation.

    Nigeria’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Columba Vakuru, emphasized the importance of public awareness about rabies, warning that while the disease is preventable, its ignorance can be fatal.

    Vakuru spoke in Abuja during an awareness rabies walk to commemorate the 2024 World Rabies Day, where he lamented that the lack of public awareness of the makes a danger to public health.

    The road walk, which was a part of the weeklong activities to commemorate the 2024 World Rabies Day was organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Environment, NCDC and Breakthrough Action Nigeria, among others.

    Vakuru said: “The public often isn’t aware of the danger until it’s too late. Once the symptoms of rabies appear in humans, death is almost inevitable.

    “Rabies is a serious challenge, especially with rising cases of human deaths in States like Gombe, Plateau, Kano, and Cross River, the public often isn’t aware of the danger until it’s too late. Once the symptoms of rabies appear in humans, death is almost inevitable”.

    Vakuru, who was represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer/Director of Veterinary Public Health, in the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Samuel Anzaku, however, said the government has been proactive about its determination to address the issue holistically, saying, “Over the last two years, we have made progress by collaborating with partners such as the FAO, WHO, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, and others to develop a national strategic plan to eliminate rabies.

    “This plan outlines the steps needed to eradicate the disease in Nigeria, including mass vaccination of dogs and cats.

    “Starting on September 28th, a nationwide dog vaccination campaign will begin, and other activities will follow to further raise awareness.

    “One of the key strategies for rabies control is ensuring responsible dog ownership, which includes registering dogs, vaccinating them, and keeping vaccination records.

    “Dog owners are required by law to license their dogs and carry vaccination cards to ensure proper management in case of rabies exposure”.

    While emphasizing that rabies is 100% vaccine-preventable, Nasir Ahmed from the NCDC, however, noted that without vaccination, it has a near-100% fatality rate.

    “In Nigeria, around 10,000 people are infected with rabies annually, which highlights the urgency of the situation.

    “Collaboration across all sectors is essential to eliminate rabies by 2030,” he added.

    Dorcas Mernyi, the focal point for rabies at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare highlighted that rabies cannot be tackled by a single sector.

    Mengis also noted that human rabies vaccines, procured by the Federal Ministry of Health, are distributed free of charge to affected states. However, due to high costs and a lack of local production, many rural residents are unaware of the availability of free vaccines.

    To address this, she said the Ministry, in partnership with Breakthrough Action Nigeria, has launched a nationwide awareness campaign, broadcasting jingles in multiple languages to educate the public on rabies prevention and treatment.

    According to her, while dog vaccines are produced locally and are readily available, human vaccines remain scarce.

    She urged state governments and philanthropists to help procure additional vaccines, stressing that rabies is incurable once symptoms appear, and prevention through vaccination is vital.

    Usman Abdulrazak from the Federal Ministry of Environment also emphasized the importance of proper waste disposal in controlling the stray dog population, which he said contributes to the spread of rabies.

    On her part, Mairo Kachalla from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security reiterated the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.

    Read Also: FG inaugurates new university of education in Plateau

    While noting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that vaccinating dogs for three consecutive years can free them from rabies, she said Nigeria is on the verge of achieving the target.

    Noting that the theme of this year’s commemoration’ ‘Breaking Rabies Boundaries’ was apt, Kachalla said: “In rural areas where media access is limited, community structures, volunteers, and health workers play a critical role in spreading awareness and ensuring dogs are vaccinated.

    “Through these combined efforts, we are confident that rabies can be eradicated in Nigeria,” she noted.

    The road walk, which began at Zone 7, Wuse, led advocates through Zones 1 and 3 before concluding at the FCT Stadium (formerly Old Parade Ground).

    The walk was followed by a rally aimed at further raising public awareness about rabies.

  • Seven benefits of garlic you may not know

    Seven benefits of garlic you may not know

    Garlic belongs to the Genus Allium family. Garlic bulbs are normally divided into numerous fleshy sections called cloves and they are used for consumption or for medicinal purposes.

    Garlic can be gotten anywhere and it can be used for culinary purposes by adding flavor to meals and also for health benefits. Here are six benefits of garlic you might not have discovered: 

    *Garlic helps to boost the immune system and  protect against illness like cold, cough and fever.

    *Garlic helps to reduce high blood pressure and hypertension that can lead to cardiovascular diseases. It relax the blood vessels and allows blood to flow easily.

    *Garlic helps to improve cholesterol levels. It supports the heart and brain health,thereby lowering the risk of heart diseases. It also stabililizes blood sugar levels.

    Read Also: MY BEAUTY REGIMEN: I exfoliate with salt, ginger and garlic

    *Garlic has antibiotic properties called Allicin which can help to fight infections and prevent viruses from entering the body cells, thus, protecting against chronic diseases.

    *Garlic helps to detox the body, i.e getting rid of the things that doesn’t belong in the body which helps humans to live longer.

    *Garlic protects your food. The anti bacterial properties in garlic can kill the bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.

    Lastly, Garlic in various forms, whether in powder, oil or a smooth paste can serve as seasoning or condiments that adds flavor to your meals.

  • Role of technology in fertility care

    Role of technology in fertility care

    …Bridge clinic series

    By Oladimeji Ajayi

    Since ancient times, there has been a strong connection between medicine and technology with some notable advancements and innovations that paved the way for future developments.

    Ancient cultures developed medicinal herbal remedies, which involved processing and preparing plant extracts using primitive technologies. Ancient civilizations also recorded medical knowledge in written texts, like the Edwin Smith Papyrus (circa 1600 BCE) and the Hippocratic Corpus (circa 400 BCE), which facilitated knowledge sharing and advancement.

    Ancient civilizations in Egypt, China, India, Africa, Greece, Meso-America, and Rome also developed simple medical instruments including scalpels, forceps, and scissors, which were often made from copper, bronze, obsidian, or iron.

    Animal bones and antlers were used to make instruments like needles, awls, and surgical needles while ivory was used to make delicate instruments like surgical knives and scalpels

    Wooden instruments like splints, probes, and applicators were used for various medical procedures and gold and silver were used to make decorative and ceremonial surgical instruments, as well as those used for special procedures like trephining (a form of skull surgery).

    These materials were often used in conjunction with other substances like leather, cord, or wood to create functional and durable surgical instruments.

    Ancient surgeons developed techniques like trephining and laparotomy (abdominal surgery), which required basic technological advancements. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks also developed simple prosthetic devices and orthotic appliances to aid mobility and function and in Central America, Mayan and Aztec healers in the Pre-Columbian era developed surgical techniques, including skull surgery and dental implants.

    Notable medical practitioners who developed technological advancements in ancient civilizations include Galen, the Greek philosopher and physician, (129-216 AD) who developed forceps and scalpels as surgical instruments and improved surgical techniques.

    Ibn Sina (Avicenna) [980-1037 AD] the Persian polymath invented the surgical needle while the Chinese Hua Tuo (110-207 AD) developed the first general anaesthetic and performed surgical operations and Sun Simiao (581-682 AD) wrote extensively on medicine, including the use of acupuncture and herbal remedies.

    In Africa, Imhotep (2600 BCE), an Egyptian polymath, developed surgical instruments and techniques and wrote medical texts and Amenhotep (1500 BCE) an Egyptian physician developed a surgical procedure for cataracts. 

    In India, Sushruta (600 BCE) wrote the “Sushruta Samhita,” which focused on surgery and described procedures like cataract surgery and caesarean sections and Charaka (400 CE) authored the “Charaka Samhita,” a foundational text on Ayurvedic medicine that described the use of herbs, minerals, and other substances for treatment.

    While ancient medicine was relatively primitive compared to modern standards, these early innovations demonstrate the beginnings of a connection between medicine and technology that has continued to evolve.

    Today, medical practitioners are heavily reliant on the application of current technology which permeates all aspects of medicine.

    Examples of this connection between technological advancements and the practice of medicine in modern times include the development of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) which digitalize patient data, streamlining access and management.

    Virtual consultations and remote monitoring via telemedicine expand access to healthcare, and advanced MRI, CT, and PET scans enable earlier disease detection.

    Robotic surgery enables precise surgical procedures with reduced recovery time; Artificial Intelligence (AI) assists in diagnosis, drug discovery, and personalized treatment plans; and cloud computing provides secure data storage and analysis which facilitates collaborative research.

    In addition, 3D Printing creates custom prosthetics, implants, and surgical models; gene editing enables precise genetic modifications; and Nanotechnology enables targeted drug delivery

    Point-of-care testing devices for rapid disease diagnosis and wearable devices which track vital signs, activity, and health metrics have also been developed.

    These technological advancements have transformed the healthcare landscape, enhancing patient care, streamlining clinical workflows, and driving medical innovation.

    In fertility clinics, technology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) have a deeply intertwined relationship, with technological developments driving innovation and advancements in ART.

    Technology provides the tools and platforms for ART procedures such as IVF, ICSI, and PGD; enhances precision and accuracy in ART procedures, like embryo selection and genetic testing; and enables increased efficiency by streamlining laboratory workflows, reducing time and costs.

    Technology enables remote monitoring, telehealth and personalized care, providing an enhanced patient experience by improving patient engagement as well as expanding access to ART services, making them more widely available and affordable.

    Technology provides valuable data and analytics to improve ART outcomes, predict success rates, and identify trends; and drives innovation in ART, enabling new techniques like gene editing and stem cell therapies.

    The use of certain technologies, however, such as genetic selection and gene editing can raise serious ethical concerns requiring careful consideration and regulation.

    This synergy between technology and ART has transformed the field of reproductive medicine, improving outcomes and expanding possibilities for people seeking to build their own families.

    It is evident that technology plays a crucial role in ART, enabling various procedures that help individuals and couples conceive. Some key technological advancements in ART include: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) where eggs are fertilized outside the body, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus; Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), in which a single sperm is injected into an egg to fertilize it; and Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) in which embryos are tested for genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities.

    Improved nutrients and environments support healthier embryo development and cryopreservation techniques allow for the preservation of eggs and embryos for future use.

    AI-assisted embryo selection and prediction models optimize IVF outcomes and robotic-assisted reproductive surgery enables minimally invasive procedures and improves accuracy and recovery in surgeries like tubal ligation reversal.

    These technological advancements in ART have significantly improved success rates, reduced complications, and expanded access to reproductive care, offering hope to individuals and couples hoping to start their families.

    Bridge Clinic integrates various advanced technologies into IVF to enhance treatment outcomes for couples.

    Bridge Clinic employs PGT which involves genetic screening of embryos prior to implantation and ensures only healthy embryos are used, lowering the risk of genetic disorders.

     Vitrification technology is used at Bridge Clinic for the cryopreservation of eggs, sperm, and embryos, maintaining high survival rates upon thawing. This method is recommended for clients who are scheduled for cancer treatment or clients who for other reasons want to postpone having children.

    Bridge Clinic utilizes an advanced but user-friendly medical record system. This houses the records of clients with a seamless financial element that allows payment gateway integration, data integrity and synchronization with our Customer Relationship Management System (CRM). All activities are automated to allow for a seamless engagement with our ever-increasing database.

    Our financial software, ERP next, helps track all our revenue transactions making payment easy for our clients and reconciliation almost unnecessary.

    Bridge Clinic utilizes specialized media that mimics the natural conditions of the human body and supports better embryo development.

    By leveraging these advanced technologies, Bridge Clinic aims to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of their IVF treatments, offering patients a greater chance of achieving a successful pregnancy as well as connecting with them emotionally throughout their treatment journey.

    Over the past 50 years, since Drs.  Edwards and Steptoe’s ground-breaking in-vitro fertilization techniques resulted in the birth of the world’s first ‘test tube’ baby in 1978, ART practitioners have employed several emerging technologies, particularly from the field of computing, to improve service delivery. In the near future, these technologies will include enhanced artificial intelligence algorithms which will be used for embryo selection, predictive analytics, and personalized treatment plans.

    Quantum computing will enable high-speed processing for complex data analysis, simulations, and predictive modelling in reproductive medicine. Machine Learning (ML) models will improve IVF outcomes, detect anomalies, and optimize laboratory protocols while advanced robotic systems will ensure precise embryo handling, injection, and sorting.

    Precise genetic modifications using CRISPR/Cas9 and other technologies will prevent inherited disorders; regenerative medicine utilising stem cell therapies will be deployed for reproductive tissue engineering and repair; advanced genomics and proteomics will permit individual cell analysis and personalized treatment; and nanotechnology will make targeted drug delivery possible.

    Through 3D printing and biofabrication, the creation of artificial gametes, reproductive organs, and personalized prosthetics will be possible, and wearable devices will facilitate remote monitoring, AI-powered fertility tracking, and virtual consultations.

    These emerging technologies will transform the field of ART, improve outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance patient experiences.

    Written by Oladimeji Ajayi, Head of Technology, Bridge Clinic