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Category: Health

  • Restore LYF: Dr. Ray strand, grape seed doctor (1)

    Restore LYF: Dr. Ray strand, grape seed doctor (1)

    I am glad that, finally, I am able to write again about RESTORE LYF, one of the “hot-cake” nutritional supplements of 2021 and a potential star plant medicine in 2022. The last time I tried to put my hands on the plough last year, I limited myself to the product literature and a few ideas I gained about 20 years ago from Dr.Ray Strand, author of WHAT YOUR DOCTOR DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT NUTRITIONAL MEDICINE MAY BE KILLING YOU. This is a great book by a humble, forthright doctor who could not help his dying wife but was kind enough to let medical lay friend treat…and heal her, using food supplements. Dr.Strand openly admits that neither he nor many doctor studied nutrition at school, what a doctor did not know about nutrition may be why he/she was not curing diseases…and his/her patients may be dying. 

    Before I proceed to let us hear directly from Dr.Strand himself about the experiences which urged him to become a nutrition inclined doctor, I would like to seriously advise that, this year, you read this book, introduce it to your doctors, friends and family members as one of the health books which deserve a worthy place in their home health library. Our doctors are well-meaning and humble persons who would not mind to learn from us their patients what would help them to save our lives…and the lives of other patients. I said at the beginning I was happy finally, I could now write this column the way I wanted. That was because, when I first attempted to, Dr.Strands book was missing from my library. I had been reading it since 2002. I was interested in one case history helped by one of the constituents of RESTORE LYF, a product of NATURE’S WAY of the United States. I asked MRS OMOLARA BELLO, resident in London, if she could send a copy to me. She tried to but could not before CORDELIA DIKE called from New York to say her sister, IMMACULATE, resident in California, had purchased a copy. The hard cover bore a hole in my pocket. About 2 weeks later, another copy arrived from Mrs Bello.

    Dr strand

    This is the humble story of Dr.Strand:

    “I was not sure how much more frustration I could bear over my wife’s deteriorating health. And I wasn’t just another worried husband, I was a medical doctor. As a physician for more than thirty years, I was accustomed to having answers to medical questions. After graduating from the University of Colorado Medical School and doing postgraduate work at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, I settled into a successful family practice in a small city in western South Dakota. Along the way I met and married Liz. She had some health problems, but Liz honestly thought that if she married a physician her health would improve. Was she ever wrong! Before long our family included three children under the age of four and a busy Liz grew increasingly weary. Every mom with little children is tired, but Liz seemed unusually fatigued. Although she was only thirty years old, she told me she felt sixty.

    “As the years passed she developed more symptoms and health problems that required several medications. By our tenth anniversary Liz was so tired that most of the time she labored to put one foot ahead of the other. She experienced continual, total body pain, overwhelming fatigue, horrible allergies and recurrent sinus and lung infections. Finally, after testing and evaluation, Liz’s doctors diagnosed her problem as fibromyalgia. This medical condition involves an array of symptoms—the worst being chronic pain and fatigue. In years past fibromyalgia was called PSYCHOSOMATIC RHEUMATISM, and doctors believed the disease was all in the patient’s head… Liz was willing to try anything so that she could continue the pursuit of her passion: training and riding dressage horses. But in time her pain and fatigue curtailed all work with her beloved animals. She became so tired that she was unable to stay up much beyond 8:00pm, and she struggled just to keep up with basic domestic chores.

    “Since fibromyalgia has no cure, all I could do to ease Liz’s symptoms was load her up with medications. I had her taking amitriptyline at night for sleep, anti-inflammatories for pain, muscle relaxants, inhalers for her asthma and hay fever, seldane for allergies, and eventually weekly allergy shots. In spite of my efforts and all this medicine, year after year her health gradually worsened. In January of 1995 Liz and I concluded that more exercise would benefit us both… One infection after another left her sick and on antibiotics more often than not. In March she developed a severe pneumonia. She labored to breathe as one lobe of her lungs became completely filled with infection and closed off. The physician caring for her lung was very concerned it might not hear and could possibly even require surgery and removal. We consulted an infectious-disease specialist, and he placed Liz on intravenous antibiotics, steroids, and nebulizer treatments. Fortunately, within two weeks the pneumonia cleared. Her cough, however, persisted, and she continued on heavy medication for months.

    “Of greater concern was her fatigue, which was now worse than ever. Liz was out of bed only about two hours a day. Her asthma and allergies were raging and only with luck could she make the walk to the barn to see her horses. Liz was so sick the children took turns staying home from school to care for her. Constantly in bed, she felt too weak to even go watch TV or read. This went on month after month. Although I maintained my professional exterior, on the inside I was growing desperate. I visited several times with the pulmonologist and the infectious-disease specialist. They assured me that with Liz’s diagnosis they were doing everything possible. When I asked how long it would take for her to recover, the answer was six to nine months—or maybe never. About this time a friend of the family shared with Liz that her husband had also had pneumonia and had experienced significant fatigue during the recovery. He took some nutritional supplements, and they helped him regain his strength. Liz and her friend were aware of my negative attitude toward vitamin supplements, so Liz knew she would need my blessing before trying them. When she asked, even I was surprised at my response: ‘Honey, you can try anything you want. We doctors certainly are not doing you any good’. 

    “Presuppositions to the test

    To be honest, I knew next to nothing about nutrition or nutritional supplementation. In medical school I had not received any significant instruction on the subject. I was not alone. Only approximately 6% of the graduating physicians in the United States have any training in nutrition… As I mentioned in the introduction, the education of most physicians is disease-oriented with a heavy emphasis on pharmaceuticals—we learn about drugs and why and when to use them. Because of the respect people have for doctors, they assume we are experts on all health-related issues, including nutrition and vitamins. Before my conversion experience with nutritional medicines, my patients frequently asked me if I believed their taking vitamins produced any health benefits. They brought their bottles of supplements into the office and let me look at them. I’d wrinkle my brow and, with my most astute professional expression, would carefully examine the labels. Handing the bottles back, I’d say that the stuff was absolutely no use at all.

    “My motives were good: I just didn’t want people wasting their money. I truly believed that these patients did not need supplements and could get all the vitamins they needed from a good diet. After all, that’s what I had learned in medical school… What I did not share with my patients was that I had not spent a minute evaluating the hundreds of scientifically conducted studies that proved the value of supplementation to health. But what was I to do about my sickly wife? I might be able to pull off professional magic at the office, but at home I was just another husband looking on helplessly as his wife wasted away. I really had no choice, so I said to Liz, ‘Go ahead, try the vitamins. What do you have to lose?’ Her friend brought a collection of vitamin supplements to our house the next day—heavy on the antioxidants: nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene that protect the body against the harmful effects of oxidation. Liz eagerly swallowed them and downed two health drinks as well. To my amazement, within three days she obviously felt better. I was happy for her but confused. As subsequent days passed, Liz gained more energy and strength and even stayed up later in the evenings. After three weeks of faithfully swallowing many pills and consuming those strange-looking drinks, Liz felt so good that she stopped taking the steroids and nebulizer treatments.

    “Three months passed, all bringing gradual improvement, and Liz never looked back. She was stronger than she had been in years and exuded a renewed outlook on life. I saw the sparkle in her eyes when she returned from training and caring for her horses. She not only could do the work in the horse barn but also was no longer fearful of suffering from allergic reactions to the hay, mold, and dust. Instead of limping off to bed shortly after dinner, she was staying up until 11:00 and 12:00 at night. I was now the one who headed to bed before my mate. What had happened? If I had not been an eyewitness to this transformation, I would have never believed it. Was it possible that some ‘weird vitamins’ had restored my wife’s health when all the medical expertise and medications could not help? Not only had Liz’s lungs recovered from the pneumonia, the symptoms of her fibromyalgia had improved dramatically. Since there really is no medical treatment for fibromyalgia, what was going on? Was this one of God’s mysterious miracles or was it possible that Liz’s newly recovered health was due to those—HORROR—nutritional supplements? For a person trained in medical science I did what comes naturally: I decided to run my own clinical trial. I culled my records to find five of my worst fibromyalgia patients and asked them to visit my office. (How’s that for a twist—a doctor calling a patient to make an appointment?) I shared Liz’s story with all of them and suggested they consider taking nutritional supplements. I told each patient that I had no idea whether this ‘alternative treatment’ would help… 

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    “Typical fibromyalgia sufferers are despondent, so each of my five subjects was very eager. After a period of time ranging from three to six months, without exception each patient reported improvement after taking the vitamin supplements. Not everyone had as dramatic a health rebound as my wife, but all were encouraged and had fresh hope. One of these women’s cases was particularly severe. She had sought answers at the Mayo Clinic and two different pain clinics, but because there really is no effective medical treatment for fibromyalgia, she found no consistent relief. A year earlier pain had so beaten her down that she had attempted suicide. Now, after taking these vitamins, she called and left a message on my home answering machine. Obviously in tears and struggling to speak, she said: ‘Dr.Strand, thank you for giving my life back to me’. Every doctor loves to hear words like that… Since I knew that my preliminary study with five patients was not enough to reach scientific certainty on nutritional supplements, I needed to dig deeper.

    “My research on supplementation

    While browsing through a bookstore a week later, I saw a book by Dr.Kenneth Cooper called THE ANTIOXIDANT REVOLUTION(Thomas Nelson, 1994). Since I had always admired Dr.Cooper for his expertise on aerobic exercise and preventative medicine, I was inquisitive about his opinions on antioxidants. Dr.Cooper explained a process called ‘oxidative stress’, which he indicated was the underlying cause of chronic degenerative diseases—essentially a ‘who’s who’ of the health problems plaguing humanity today… We all know that oxygen is essential for life itself. Yet oxygen is also inherently dangerous to our existence. This is known as the oxygen paradox. Scientific research has established beyond a shadow of doubt that oxidative stress, or cell damage by free radicals, is the root cause of more than seventy chronic degenerative diseases. The same process that causes iron to rust or a cut appple to turn brown is the underlying initiator of diseases like coronary artery disease, cancer, strokes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s dementia, and macular degeneration. That is right: we are actually rusting on the inside. Evey chronic degenerative disease I have mentioned is the direct result of the toxic effects of oxygen. Infact oxidative stress is the leading theory behind the aging process itself. In addition to this, our bodies are under constant attack from an army of pollutants in our air, food and water. Our stress-filled lifestyle also take a toll. If we do not counteract these processes, the result is cell deterioration and ultimately, disease. This is why the truths revealed in this book are so critical to our health.

    “Learning about how unhindered oxidative stress damages the body drastically changed my perspective on chronic degenerative diseases. For example, since oxidative stress can actually cause damage to the DNA nucleus of the cell, it may be the actual villian in cancer. This opens up the tremendous possibility of using antioxidants in cancer prevention. Since oxidative stress also causes arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, macular degeneration, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Crohn’s disease, nutritional supplements may also combat and control those illnesses. In his book Dr.Copper reported on some studies of patients done at his aerobics center in Dallas concerning the cause of ‘overtraining syndrome’. Surprisingly, Dr.Cooper discovered that some athletes who trained intensely ended up later struggling with serious chronic illness. They all showed signs of having oxidative stress, and the list of the symptoms associated with the syndrome were eerily similar to those of fibromyalgia patients. I began to wonder, could oxidative stress cause fibromyalgia too? Is this why my wife and several of my patients are getting better by taking high-quality antioxidants? This marked the beginning of my investigation into the ‘dark-side’ of oxygen… In the past year alone, I have examined more than thirteen hundred peer-reviewed medical studies involving nutritional supplements and how they affect chronic degenerative diseases. These studies are double-blind, placebo-controlled medical studies show a significant health benefit to those patients who take nutrients at optimal levels, which are significantly higher than the RDA(recommended daily allowance) levels.

    Vitamins and you

    When you understand the tremendous damage that oxidative stress inflicts during normal daily life on the human body, you realize how important it is to optimize your own natural defense system. Your health and life depend on it. Through my research I learned that the strongest defense against these diseases is our bodies’ own natural antioxidants and immune systems. These are far superior to any drugs I can prescribe. I concluded after much study that using nutritional supplementation on patients is not alternative medicine but is instead complementary medicine. Infact it may represent the very best in mainline medicine because it is true preventive medicine. Taking nutritional supplements is not about eradicating disease, it is about promoting vibrant health. After reviewing medical research studies, I have absolutely no doubt that my patients who take high-quality nutritional supplements have a health benefit over those who don’t. Although a patient may have a particular health problem, in recommending supplements I am not necessarily treating that particular disease. I am simply enabling the patient to provide the nutrients to his/her body at the optimal levels that studies have shown to provide a health benefit based on medical research. This approach to health I have labelled CELLULAR NUTRITION, which enables the body to do what God intended. The personal case histories that I present in this book are ones I have documented in my office…

    “… Almost all of these true-stories are about patients who had lost their health too. With much encourage and determination they continued to seek answers, and after testing the principles presented here, they regained their health. Liz is my best case study. By the way, her health remains robust—even though she married a doctor! Instead of spending many hours of everyday on pain and weakness in bed, she now lives the full life of her dreams. She had the energy to fully enjoy being a wife and mother. And her passion for training and showing horses is no longer just wishful thinking but a daily reality”.ent from Yahoo Mail on Android

  • Improving maternal health through increased access to contraceptive choices

    Improving maternal health through increased access to contraceptive choices

    In the realm of reproductive health, the choices individuals make regarding contraception are paramount. These choices empower women and couples to take control of their reproductive well-being, safeguarding against unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions while promoting the overall health and prosperity of families. Despite widespread awareness of family planning, there remains a significant unmet need, with 48 per cent of sexually active unmarried women and 19 per cent of married women lacking access to contraception. Additionally, the modern contraceptive prevalence rate among married women (15 – 49 years) stands at a mere 12 per cent, far below the national target of 27 per cent by 2024.

     The importance of options in improving women’s lives cannot be overstated. It revolves around the concept of offering a diverse range of contraceptive choices, empowering women and girls to make informed decisions about when, how many, and at what intervals they have children. This empowerment is a testament to gender equality. Increasing access to contraception not only grants women and girls autonomy but also plays a pivotal role in reducing maternal mortality. Studies from seven countries—Ethiopia, Niger, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Senegal, and Morocco—presented at the International Maternal New-born Health Conference 2023 demonstrated remarkable success in improving maternal and new-born outcomes. These countries, in contrast to others, saw significant progress in maternal health outcomes, thanks to increased contraceptive use. Thus, ensuring widespread access to a broad spectrum of contraceptive options for reproductive-age women and girls becomes imperative.

     Nigeria, with a population exceeding 200 million, is the most populous African nation. However, over 50 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line, and many access healthcare through local Community Pharmacies (CPs) and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), commonly known as “chemist shops.” While informal, these PPMVs and CPs serve as the primary point of care for various health conditions, playing a crucial role in providing essential medicines and improving healthcare access, including family planning services. These healthcare providers are community members who reside in the areas they serve.

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     In 2018, the task-shifting and task-sharing policy was updated, presenting an opportunity to expand access to contraception and service provision through Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs). However, this policy did not provide a well-defined role for PPMVs or community pharmacists, despite their evident contribution to healthcare within communities. From 2017 to 2021, the IntegrateE project, led by a consortium with the Society for Family Health, collaborated with federal and state governments, as well as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), to empower nearly 300,000 women in Lagos and Kaduna states. The IntegratE 1.0 project, funded by MSD for Mothers and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed to enhance access to and adoption of family planning services. It served as a proof-of-concept illustrating that community pharmacists (CPs) and PPMVs could offer a broader range of family planning services beyond oral pill resupply, including family planning counselling, injectable administration, implant insertion/removal, and other basic Primary Health Care (PHC) services. This expansion was made possible through a three-tiered accreditation system for PPMVs and CPs, permitting the provision of varying levels of family planning services based on qualification and training.

      Grace, a registered nurse and a Tier 2 accredited PPMV in Alimosho, Lagos State, emphasised the impact of the project: “My clients now have more contraceptive options to choose from, and I can confidently provide their preferred services, including longer-acting contraceptives because I have received training for it.”

     The project design also prioritised the perspectives and preferences of women seeking services. At the Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala in March 2023, Pharm Emeka Okafor, Chief of Party for the IntegratE Project, shared how the project expanded access and choices for family planning services. “We have a forum called the community dialogue, where we engage with women to understand their opinions about the services they receive.”

    At the project’s conclusion, a total of 293,608 women accessed family planning services from approximately 550 trained CPs and PPMVs, resulting in the prevention of 17,871 pregnancies. Pilot studies in Lagos and Kaduna states revealed that PPMVs can be trained to safely provide extended family planning services like injectables and implants with appropriate supervision and support. The knowledge gained and the evidence generated during this pilot phase led to the expansion of the IntegratE 1.0 project to IntegratE 2.0, which is now being implemented in 11 Nigerian states until 2026, thereby increasing access to contraceptives for more underserved communities. According to Pharm. Okafor, the project’s scale-up is being executed methodically. After the first pilot phase in 2021, the second phase targeted Enugu, Kano, Nasarawa, and Gombe, focusing on family planning services but excluding PHC services in Enugu State.

     Access to contraception empowers women and girls to make choices about their bodies, enabling them to lead healthy and productive lives. Although some PPMVs cited financial barriers for clients seeking services, family planning remains a cost-effective intervention with immediate and long-term benefits for individuals, families, and the nation. The power of options ensures that a diverse range of contraceptive methods is easily accessible, allowing women and girls to make informed choices.

  • NAFDAC sensitises Ibadan stakeholders on online products registration

    NAFDAC sensitises Ibadan stakeholders on online products registration

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sensitised producers and marketers of its new online products and company registrations. The Oyo State Coordinator, NAFDAC, Matthew Adeoye, said during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan that NAFDAC Automated Products Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) offered significant reduction on the timeline for registration.

     Adeoye said that the online registration was part of the Agency’s efforts to facilitate faster processes and remove bottlenecks associated with traveling for follow-ups. “NAPAMS provides a medium for the application for products registration with NAFDAC and data capture of all existing and current products it has approved. It also offers stage-by-stage status feedback to applicants regarding update on the application. The process is seamless that an applicant can monitor (online) all the processes from registration, payment, status/stages of registered product at the applicant’s zone due to decentralisation,” he said.

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     Also, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, Director, NAFDAC South West Zonal Office, Ibadan, said the meeting sought to interact and update the stakeholders on the direction of the agency and to clarify issues with navigating the portal. Ajayi said that product quality, safety and wholesomeness must not be neglected due to the country’s current economic crises

  • Revitalising primary healthcare for a healthier future

    Revitalising primary healthcare for a healthier future

    Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has emphasised that the primary care level is pivotal in preventing and managing up to 70 percent of the disease burden in Nigeria. He made these remarks during the annual AMOHN conference organised by the Association of Medical Officers of Health in Nigeria, Lagos Chapter.

     Represented by Dr. Oritseweyimi Ogbe, Dr. Shuaib underscored the adverse effects of limited access to Primary Health Care (PHC) services and the resulting financial burdens incurred when seeking care at secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. He noted that these expenses push many households deeper into poverty. Dr. Shuaib also highlighted that the persistently high disease rates and poor health indicators in the country reflect a fragile PHC system, exacerbated further by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

     During his keynote address at the AMOHN conference,  with the theme: ‘Overview of National Primary Health Care under one roof performance: Nigeria’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage,’ the NPHCDA boss stressed that a robust Primary Health Care (PHC) system with functional primary health centres can significantly enhance the overall well-being of Nigerians. This, in turn, reduces poverty and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and national health security.

     He pointed out that the PHC system’s inability to function optimally is primarily attributed to persistent intrinsic institutional challenges. These challenges include a shortage of human resources, service delivery issues, and inadequate infrastructure. He expressed concern that despite Nigeria’s status as the largest economy in Africa, the country still records unfavourable health indices that adversely affect human capital development. Dr. Shuaib highlighted that approximately 70 per cent of PHCs lack the necessary healthcare personnel, leading to an increased workload for existing staff, resulting in suboptimal PHC services. He also noted that around 35 per cent of PHCs urgently require renovation due to structural issues, such as leaking roofs, cracked walls, and broken doors. Additionally, many PHCs lack essential equipment, with four out of 10 facilities falling short of the standard requirements.

     Dr. Shuaib acknowledged the gradual progress of the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) initiative in Nigeria, with 13 states successfully repositioning their PHC programmes under the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB). However, he stressed that full repositioning is critical to the successful integration of PHC programmes, and only 13 states have achieved this milestone, including Abia, Adamawa, Delta, Gombe, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.

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     The Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, emphasised the importance of revitalising and repositioning primary healthcare as a cornerstone of the community’s well-being. He highlighted the need for accessible and affordable healthcare services at the Primary Health Centres while maintaining high standards. Prof. Abayomi outlined various strategies employed by Lagos State to enhance PHCs, including infrastructure development, manpower training, and improved governance and resources. He emphasised the importance of addressing nutrition and promoting community medicine as part of the state’s commitment to improving public health.

     “Over the years, we have developed innovative strategies in the area of infrastructure, manpower, governance and training and resources. One infrastructure, the first thing we did in our last dispersion is to establish all three tiers of government in the Primary Healthcare Sector which has recognised that many of our PHCs were not built fit for the public, so we went the extra mile to develop three prototypes that are energy efficient and functional and equipped with infection prevention control. Also, we noticed that some of the PHCs required refurbishment, so we started with 20 centers which are almost 50 per cent ready through the completion phase.

    “What we are trying to achieve is, if you are in a community, you don’t need to skip Primary Health Care facility and rush to a General Hospital; your first medical attendant should be your PHC in your community/ward to access your illness. If they can’t manage your condition, they can refer you to the General Hospital, but you don’t go to the general hospital as your first point of contact but your PHC.

     “Aside from this, we are looking at community medicine. We want to address and improve nutrition for everybody in Lagos State because the brain of a child is dependent on how they are fed in the womb of the mother for 9 months and the first five years of life. If we are talking about human capital, without capital Lagos cannot move forward. Medical officers are important to the growth and development of our nation-building because you are custodians of human capital development. To achieve all these, we strategy to create a marriage between the Primary Health Care Platform and Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) which is the custodian of Ile Eko,” he said.

     Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, the chairman of the occasion, discussed the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Nigeria, urging medical experts to explore innovative ways to sustain immunisation efforts. He emphasised that the globalised world necessitates maintaining adequate immunisation coverage to prevent the rapid spread of diseases across borders. Dr. Tunde Osoba, Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of AMOHN, reiterated the significance of fully implementing the Primary Health Care Under One Roof model in Lagos State, emphasising its potential to address various healthcare challenges, including human resources, monitoring and evaluation, sustainable PHC funding, and governance. Throughout the conference, medical experts and practitioners engaged in insightful discussions on critical healthcare issues affecting Nigeria. Prominent speakers included Dr. Chinenye Okafor, the State Coordinator of WHO Lagos, Dr. Adenike Oluwo, Dr. Jide Obosi, Zouera Youssoufou, Dr. Wale Adediran, Dr. Adeleke Awolesi, Dr. Alero Roberts, and others.

  • Diphtheria outbreak: UNICEF to raise additional $3.3 million, calls for vaccination

    Diphtheria outbreak: UNICEF to raise additional $3.3 million, calls for vaccination

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stated that to support Nigeria to effectively respond to the current diphtheria outbreak, it would need to raise additional US$3.3 million until the end of the year.

    It also called for the urgent ramping-up of vaccination against the disease amidst the most severe diphtheria outbreak in recent times globally.

    It stated that while the outbreak has so far resulted in over 11,500 suspected cases, more than 7,000 confirmed cases, and claimed the lives of 453 people, mostly children, most cases are children aged between 4 to 15 years who have not received even a single dose of the vital vaccine.

    The agency disclosed that it is providing urgent support to the Nigerian government in its efforts to combat the outbreak. 

    A crucial part of this support includes the procurement of vaccines to support the government’s response. 

    UNICEF further revealed that, “So far, on behalf of the government, it has deployed 9.3 million doses of diphtheria vaccines to affected states including Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa. Of these, 4 million doses have been dispatched to Kano, the epicentre of the outbreak. Another 4 million doses of vaccines are being procured and will be handed over to the government in the coming weeks.

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    “The devastating impact of this diphtheria outbreak is a grim reminder of the importance of vaccination. Nigeria is home to a staggering 2.2 million children who haven’t received even a single dose of vaccine – the second largest such cohort in the world. 

    “We must collectively take urgent actions to drastically reduce this number. Every child deserves protection from preventable diseases. This is not negotiable,” said Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF Representative.”

    While calling on partners, stakeholders, and the international community to rally together to ensure that every child in Nigeria is reached with life-saving vaccines, it emphasised the importance of strengthening routine immunization, community engagement, and health systems to avoid similar outbreaks in the future.

  • Over N300bn to be generated from increased sugary drinks tax, says NASR

    Over N300bn to be generated from increased sugary drinks tax, says NASR

    An increase in Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) tax to 20 percent can generate over N300 billion yearly for the country, according to the National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition (NASR).

    The coalition also maintained that aside from the revenue-generation benefits, increased taxes would also discourage the excessive consumption of sugary drinks which have been directly and indirectly linked with several non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and others.

    According to a statement by a representative of the coalition, Omei Bongos Ikwue, the NASR’s request came in response to a recent statement by Taiwo Oyedele, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms that the government has no plans to introduce new taxes or impose higher tax rates.

    Speaking at the meeting, Mohammed Alkali, President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, while commending the government’s tax revenue efforts said: “The SSB tax, which has been introduced in many countries globally, has proven to have both health and economic benefits.

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    “The increased cost of the commodities is expected to discourage consumption, hence reducing the risk of NCDs and reducing complications. Nigeria’s 10 naira per litre SSB tax will make a deeper health impact if the rate is sufficiently increased to a level that will discourage purchase while generating significant revenue.”

    Responding to the Fiscal Reforms Committee’s plans to halt the introduction of new taxes and impose no higher tax rates, the coalition asserted that there should be greater public health representation in the institution of tax reforms, especially sin taxes, which are imposed on commodities that affect health.

    In further reaction to this, Gloria Okwu of Project PinkBlue said: “It is important for public health voices to have a seat at the table when tax policy reforms are being considered.”

    At the meeting, while it was emphasized that the revenue prospects of SSB taxes are enormous, they stressed that the taxes have the potential to generate at least N300bn in revenue (yearly) if increased to a level that raises SSB prices by at least 20 percent of the final retail price.

    It further stated that revenue from pro-health taxes can be used to cover healthcare expenses for people living with NCDs.

    The coalition expressed concerns that the SSB tax, currently enacted through the Finance Act, remains vulnerable to interference, and called for the more efficient implementation of SSB taxes through legislation.

  • HACEY teams up with Access Corp, hospital to provide free medical checkups in Lagos

    HACEY teams up with Access Corp, hospital to provide free medical checkups in Lagos

    HACEY, a prominent non-governmental organization, has partnered with Access Corporation and St. Emmanuel Hospital Laboratory to provide free medical checkups to the residents of the Oshodi-Isolo community in Lagos.

    The objective of the initiative is to promote health awareness and improve the well-being of Lagos residents.

    The free medical checkup will be conducted at St. Emmanuel Hospital Laboratory, located at 2 Bola Ademuyiwa Street, Off Osolo Way, Isolo, Lagos, from September 18 to September 23, 2023, from 8 am to 5 pm, to ensure accessibility for all beneficiaries.

    Essential health assessments, including Urinalysis, Blood Workup, hypertension profile, Tuberculosis screening, and treatment, will be provided to beneficiaries.

    In her address at the launch of the free medical checkup event held at St. Emmanuel Hospital Laboratory in Isolo, Lagos, HACEY’s executive director, Rhoda Robinson, emphasised the crucial role of accessible healthcare in our communities.

    Ms. Robinson highlighted that the event is a testament to HACEY’s commitment to improving the overall health and well-being of the community.

    She cited recent statistics that underscore the importance of such initiatives, stating that access to healthcare remains a challenge for many.

    According to recent data from the World Health Organization, approximately 100 million people worldwide are pushed into extreme poverty each year due to healthcare expenses.

    In Nigeria alone, nearly 70% of the population lacks access to essential healthcare services, leading to preventable health issues and a high disease burden.

    Robinson further stated the critical need for comprehensive health assessments, noting that beneficiaries of the event will receive essential medical services such as urinalysis, blood workup, and hypertension profiling.

    She cited local health statistics, revealing that hypertension is a growing health concern in Lagos, affecting an estimated 28% of the population. By offering free screenings and treatments, including Tuberculosis screening, Rhoda Robinson expressed confidence that the event will have a significant impact on reducing the burden of these health issues in the community.

    Robinson also called for increased awareness of the event among the local population, citing the importance of community engagement.

    She highlighted that, according to recent surveys, many individuals in the Isolo area remain unaware of the availability of free healthcare services.

    She urged community members to spread the word and encourage their neighbors and loved ones to take advantage of this opportunity, as collectively, they can make a significant difference in improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes in Isolo, Lagos.

    Head of Sustainability, Access Corporation, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan underscored the pivotal role of corporate social responsibility in promoting community well-being.

    She pointed out that this initiative aligns with Access Corporation’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.

    According to recent reports from the World Health Organization, access to quality healthcare remains a global challenge, with over 800 million people spending at least 10% of their household budgets on healthcare, often pushing them into poverty.

    Such statistics emphasise the urgency of collaborative efforts, like the one being undertaken today, to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved communities.

    Moreover, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan highlighted the local healthcare landscape, citing statistics specific to Isolo, Lagos. She noted that in this area, access to essential healthcare services remains a concern, with a significant portion of the population lacking regular access to medical checkups.

    Read Also: UNGA 2023: Access to quality education urgent, says Kwara Gov

    According to recent surveys conducted by local health agencies, approximately 40% of Isolo residents have not had a comprehensive health checkup in the past year.

    Such data underscores the critical need for events like this free medical checkup, which provides a unique opportunity to address these disparities and improve the overall health and well-being of the community.

    The manager of St. Emmanuel Hospital Laboratory, Eloji Uzoma said the free medical checkup indicates the commitment of the center to community well-being, “The partnership embodies a community-centric approach, offering residents access to vital healthcare services that might otherwise be challenging to obtain.

    Residents of Oshodi-Isolo and neighboring communities are encouraged to take advantage of this invaluable opportunity for a free medical checkup. It is a proactive step toward safeguarding individual health and contributing to the overall well-being of the community.

  • Does coconut oil offer promise of glaucoma cure?

    Does coconut oil offer promise of glaucoma cure?

    This column was first published in April 2022 to signpost the 2022 World Glaucoma Week. It is republished today at the request of many caregivers, challenged persons and readers of this column who read a summary of it in last week’s column ( September 14, 2023) on multiple sclerosis and stroke

     Joe Lovett, a former glaucoma sufferer who says he cured this dangerous eye disease with coconut oil, says it can help other challenged persons as well. Joe Lovett should know what he is saying. His background does not potray him as an irresponsible person. The world’s leading opthalmologists (eye doctors) say glaucoma is incurable, that it runs its course up to the stage of blindness, that that course can only be delayed through early detection and appropriate treatment. That treatment comes in three levels. The first is the use of eye drops to lower intra-occular pressure (IOP). Occular tension is pressure of fluid at the back of the eye pressing against light sensitive optic nerve and damaging or killing it. The second level of treatment is surgery. This is employed to open up blocked drainage channels in the front chamber of the eye so that fluid can move out from the back chamber and stop pressing on the retina and optic nerve and damaging them. Sometimes, if not often, this surgery fails and the “gutter ” it creates in the front chamber gets blocked again, leading the patient to status quo ante. The third intervention, which is the use of eye antioxidants, recognises that the patient may have been suffering from nutritional deficiencies which make the eye unable to stand up against oxidative stress, photochemical reactions and other challenges. That is why, for example, worldwide, children are now given vitamin A as food supplement and adults are going for fermented vitamin A which has a huge arsenal of zinc and other eye friendly nutrients.

    If Joe Lovett emerged from this regimen of treatment for his glaucoma, saying it did not help him, and that it was coconut oil which finally cured his glaucoma, it is either that he is a crank, if he is lying, or that he is a frontier man of medicine , should his statements be true. The new frontier person is that man or woman who tells us we didn’t know all we needed to know about a problem, which was why we are always unable to decisively solve it, and presents us with new information which, to our surprise, easily clears up the dross and leads us into a new world of freedom. Glaucoma is one of those problems. Mankind has not defeated it. Increasingly, more people all over the world are still diagnosed with glaucoma which, after cataracts of the eye lens, remains the second major cause of blindness. If Joe Lovett is now telling us that glaucoma can be cured simply by drinking some tablespoonfuls of it everyday or consuming it with our food, that is great news. And that is why we must quickly check his background to see if he has a reputation he will not wish to damage with careless talk. To prove his point, Joe Lovett has written two books on the cure of glaucoma and other eye diseases, using coconut oil. As a sinking person will cling to any straw for a lifeline, I expect glaucoma challenged persons to try out it’s postulations. Being a journalist myself, I do not believe any veteran of the profession will like to spike a hard-earned golden reputation as his. So, who is Joe Lovett and what are the postulations which may qualify him to be described as a new frontiers man of medicine?

    Read Also: world glaucoma week: Some of my experiences

     Joe Lovett

     This man, according to an article in which his views were presented as an introduction to some books he has written on his glaucoma cure, waves the following testimonial before his claims.

     “Joe was a successful director and film maker living in New York City. In the 1980s, he was the producer for ABC News 20/20 programme with Huge Downs and Barbara Walters. After leaving ABC News in 1989, he founded his own company, Lovett Productions, producing documentary and highlighting social and health issues”.

     Lovett’s hypothesis

     According to the originating article titled “Is There a cure for Glaucoma?” A coconut oil based therapy offers promise:

     “Many researchers now view glaucoma as a neurological disorder that causes nerve cells in the brain to degenerate and die, similar to what occurs in Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. Chronic inflammation characteristic of all neurodegenerative disorders, is now becoming recognised as an important factor in glaucoma”.

     The article began with a settled idea about how vision occurs when it says: “Elevated pressure may be a symptom rather than the initiating factor…

     “In Parkinson’s disease, the area of the brain called the Substantia Nigra, which controls movement is affected most. In Alzheimer’s, it is the Hippocampus Frontal Lobes, areas which involve memory. In glaucoma, it is the eyes. Damage to, and death of cells in the retina, mimics the same type of degeneration in brain cells. In fact, the same type of plaque that forms in Alzheimer’s brain, also forms in the retina. Studies show that Alzheimer’s patients have an increased risk of developing glaucoma. For example, a German institutional study of Alzheimer’s patients showed a 24.5 per cent increase, increase prevalence of glaucoma compared to only 6.5 per cent of aged matched patients without the disease. A Japanese study showed similar results. Alzheimer’s patients have an increased prevalence of glaucoma of 23.8 per cent compared with control patients of 9.9 per cent. Not only are Alzheimer’s patients more likely to develop glaucoma, but glaucoma patients are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. A study of 812 glaucoma subjects, 72 years of age and older, found that they were four times more likely to develop dementia”.

     Comments

     These are serious statements which, nevertheless, should not frighten health pursuers. For when the roots of a problem are known and can be decisively uprooted, the chances of a cure are very bright. I have had glaucoma since I was 45 in 1995. That means I have had it for 27 years with serious impact on my vision. But my brain still serves me well for my age, with no visible signs of Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s. My memory is still fairly good. My movements are not wobbly. I still wear my knickers or my pair of trousers, standing. I still write as fast as in the examination halls in my days at the university. I sleep when I wish to and wake up as easily as I fall asleep when I am done with sleep. Years ago,  I relished coconut oil in my meals because it gave support to my digestive system. At that time, I read of how it may be good for cancer and HIV. There was a story of a Caribbean woman whose name I do not remember now. This story made one of my columns. She lived in the United States where she developed cancer of the brain. Chemotherapy did not help her. So she returned home.

    The Caribbeans grew a lot of coconuts. Her father had a large farm. She went through a coconut oil therapy and, in one year, her cancer was gone. There are many such stories. Joe Lovett’s about glaucoma is about the first I will hear of this condition. I do not know if I am relatively healthy upstairs, irrespective of glaucoma, because I load up everyday on antioxidants in my daily nutrition, in particular with those which protect and help the brain as well.

    Ever since I knew of the antioxidant and phenolic compounds in Jobelyn, I have hardly missed it. Dr. Ray Strand taught me about 40 years ago to respect Grape Seed Extract. In www.olufemikusa.com, you would read in four articles I posted early this year of how it helped his wife recover from irksome fibromyalgia and restore life to some of his patients with neurological vision and lower limbs challenges. That series of four articles is titled Dr. Ray Strand, The Grape Seed Doctor. What about Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Essential FattyAcids, Zinc, Magnesium and many more? I have been on and off on coconut oil. I have been witness to how it helps to arrest the “opportunistic diseases” in persons challenged with human immuno virus (HIV) and how it has helped in many cases of cancer. But Joe Lovett’s use of it for glaucoma, and with a reversal success as he says is something I have to grapple with.

     Coconut oil

     Joe Lovett says that when we consume a ketogenic diet, a low carbohydrate diet, high protein and high healthy fat diet (Omega 3 oils) for cancer and diabetes patients, we may increase BDNS to such levels that may beneficially impact the brain.

     BDNFS is a brain derived neuro Trophic Factor

    Joe Lovett’s article says:

     “Another way to raise blood ketones is by drinking coconut oil. When coconut oil is consumed, a portion of the medium fatty acids ( MCFAs) in the oil will automatically be converted into ketones, regardless of blood glucose levels. You can raise blood ketones and subsequently BDNFs, to therapeutic levels by eating coconut oil. Combining coconut oil with a ketogenic diet enhances the production of ketones and BDNFs, improving their therapeutic effects. If a ketogenic coconut oil-based diet is maintained for a period of time, it can allow the time needed to bring about healing and repair within the Central Nervous System. Ketones are proven to be successful in reversing epilepsy, Alzheimer’s , Parkinson’s and other neuro degenerative diseases. The eyes are also part of the Central Nervous System and can be protected with Ketone -induced BDNFs. In animal studies where the retina and optiic nerves  are intentionally injured, BDNFs are proven to lessen the damage and stimulate healing and regrowth of these tissues, preserving eyesight…It seems like, despite what you may have been told, degenerative diseases like glaucoma are not easily reversible.

     Lovett’s  experience

     Eighteen years ago, he was diagnosed with glaucoma. Six years ago, he reversed it on coconut oil diet. That means he suffered glaucoma for 12 years. It all began in his 20s. His doctor then did not think too much of it. He gave eye drops to lower the eye pressure. Joe Lovett was like many glaucoma-challenged persons. He used the eye drops, believing it will bring about a cure. He did not realise that elevated eye pressure was merely a symptom of many damaging biochemical and photochemical activities going on inside his eyes. Many opthalmologists do not sit their patients down to explain the nitty gritty of this problem. They only look at the eyes, hand them new supplies of their eye drops or change the eye drops, if they believe the eyes are not responding to the old ones. This may be because the opthalmologist has too many patients to attend to and too many eyes to examine. They shuttle from consulting to surgery, to teaching, to preparing academic papers for seminars and conferences. They hardly have time for themselves! At 40, another doctor discovered Joe Lovett was going blind and sent him for an eye examination. He was shocked when, during this eye check, he discovered he could only see a subject from the chest up and from the waist down. The mid region of the body was missing in his vision. He went on various eye drops to lower his intra occular pressure, but with no very satisfactory results. The story of how Lovett got his vision back is told in two books he has written on this subject. They are Stop Vision Loss Now and Prevent And Heal Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and other eye disorders

     Lovett acknowledges the fact that it is better to prevent these diseases than to heal them and, given his personal experience, believes they can be reversed nevertheless, irrespective of iron-cast medical beliefs of our time.

    Is there a cure for glaucoma?

     I recommend that you read his books. Definitely, they will provide details of how he came to the conception that glaucoma begins in the brain and not in the eyes.

     My acknowledgement for the introduction of Joe Lovett’s works goes to a young friend of mine, Hassan Oyekan who is aware I am glaucoma challenged, who, through regularly reading my column, has become a health student. So interested in health he is that, not withstanding the fact that he is an entrepreneurship student of the Nigerian Open University, Hassan Oyekan has taken online courses on health management and become a health coach. He is a member of one of my chat groups on health. This group is called incubating. It is where new comers to product lines of AIM GLOBAL and SHINEWAY health networks are informed about the uses of these products and goings-on in the Nigerian Alternative Medicine Market. He knows I am glaucoma challenged and regularly sends to me information he believes I will cherish. Joe Lovett’s story is the latest of his messages.

      Okubena

     Where is Otunba Olajuwon Okubena, producer of Jobelyn, Nigeria’s leading herbal medicine formula. He deserves an honour on a day such as this. Okubena has been canvassing the use of coconut oil-based eye drops to treat glaucoma. I am asking after him because this subject should be of interest to him. Mention of Otunba Olajuwon Okubena reminds me not only of Jobelyn, but also a coconut oil-based eye drop for glaucoma management, if not a cure. Where a challenged person requires two or three drops of a pharmaceutical drug to hold down destructive glaucoma pressure in one day or a combination of drugs to do the job, Otunba Okubena says one drop of a coconut oil and some natural ingredients-based formula can hold the pressure down for five days and even reverse it. I know of persons who used coconut oil eye drops. I do not have scientific proof of its efficacy but I learned from www.healthline.com that it acts against dry eyes for which there is a pharmaceutical preparation. Dry eyes are often caused by some nutritional deficiencies including vitamin A deficiency, and long use of glaucoma eye drops. Anyone who has the nerves to try coconut oil eye drops may report his or her observations to www.healthline.com, which is researching it. Recently, I injured my navel when I tried to bring out some small stony materials lodged in it. The skin peeled deep inside and whenever I touched it, I smelt unpleasant odour on my finger. Two drops of coconut oil in two days cleared it off.

    Conclusion

     The idea that we need to address brain health along with eye health in glaucoma treatment should not surprise us. In glaucoma, we are dealing with damage to the optic nerve. The nervous system originates in the brain from the neurons. We observe damage to them in strokes when the affected parts cause loss of sensitivity or action in the limbs they control or in the organs they control such as the tongue, the urinary or digestive systems. In wisdom, we should not throw ideas away with waves of the hand. Lion’s mane Mushroom is known to help the repair of damaged nerves.

     Gotu Kola has been shown to improve micro and macro blood circulation in the brain, like gingko biloba. The fatty substances in the brain need protection from Free Radicals Two great ones for these purposes are Grape Seed Extract  and Alpha Lipoic Acid. GSE, (As Grape seed extract) is also called, easily crosses the brain-blood barrier to suffuse the brain. In experiments to determine it’s therapeutic effects, it is often used at 350mg daily. But dosages of 1000mg and more are also known. GSE is about 50 times more powerful than vitamin c or vitamin E as antioxidants. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is active in both fat and fluid media and, is, therefore, good for the brain. We cannot forget CBD oil which fuels the body’s master system, the endocannabidiol system, the system which normalises other systems. There are more brain antioxidants than can be mentioned here. The brain sleeps not at night or during the day. Like burning coal or wood which must produce sparks, smoke and ash and other waste materials, constant activities of the brain produce free radicals or dangerous substances which are removed by the body’s derived antioxidants. What Joe Lovett has challenged us to do  in the treatment of glaucoma is to not treat the eye in isolation but to clean up its origin, the brain, as well.

  • Achieving success in public management for teaching hospitals

    Achieving success in public management for teaching hospitals

    A new book advocating for the integration of public relations ethics into healthcare delivery within medical institutions has been unveiled. Titled “Effective Public Relations In the Hospital…A Practical Guide,” the book was introduced at the Old-Great Hall, College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, Lagos. Dr. Hope Nwawolo, the first female Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and a member of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), authored the book.

     During the event, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, Chief Medical Officer (CMD) of LUTH, delivered a welcoming address and commended the author’s exceptional work. He noted that few public relations officers in Nigerian hospitals could match the depth of knowledge presented in the book. Prof. Adeyemo emphasised the uniqueness of LUTH, being situated between two urban areas, Mushin and Idi-Araba, and highlighted the challenges and media attention the hospital faces. He expressed his strong endorsement of the book and praised Dr. Nwawolo for her expertise in managing LUTH’s public relations department.

    Read Also: Niger govt shuts five private hospitals in Minna

     The chairman of the book presentation, Prof. Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti, lauded the book’s rich content and the author’s vast education and professional experience. He emphasised that the book serves as a valuable resource for hospitals striving to excel in public management. Former CMD of LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, commended the book’s initiative in guiding other hospitals on building effective bridges and praised Dr. Nwawolo’s joyful and passionate approach to writing. Mrs. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, a renowned public relations expert and the book’s reviewer, highlighted its comprehensive coverage across six chapters. She stressed the importance of public relations in helping medical institutions navigate crises, build trust, and foster empathy. She also praised the book as an insider’s guide to understanding the power of public relations within the healthcare sector.

     Author Dr. Nwawolo explained that she wrote the book to underscore the significance of cultivating and sustaining relationships to maintain a healthcare institution’s reputation. She encouraged hospital staff to develop essential soft skills such as empathy, humility, respect, and effective communication, all critical elements of public relations. Dr. Nwawolo’s book draws from her personal experiences as a public relations officer at LUTH, which provided her with profound fulfillment.

  • Fidson vows to promote pharmaceutical excellence

    Fidson vows to promote pharmaceutical excellence

    Stakeholders in the health sector have variously expressed concern about the inadequacy of healthcare provisions in Nigeria. Even though some medical experts have suggested that the government at all levels should prioritise issues of healthcare provision for the benefit of all Nigerians.

     Paying attention to this call to improve the fortunes of the health sector, many pharmaceutical companies have made immense efforts towards improving this critical sector, which will, in turn, improve the health of the citizens. One such pharmaceutical firm that has made great efforts to improve the health sector through the production of quality drugs is Fidson Healthcare Plc. The pharma giant said this is so because of its commitment to advancing health values which “ensure positivity, balance, healthiness and happiness within the individual’s life as well as those around them.”

     Apart from pursuing its obligation to enhance quality of life for Nigerians, Fidson Healthcare Plc said it has also veered into providing employment for thousands of jobless Nigerians. Added to this, the company has also improved the economic conditions of the majority of Nigerians who are shareholders in the company. By so doing, the firm is not only improving the health of the people but also ensuring the financial stability of the people.

    Read Also: NAFDAC boss excited over boost in local production of pharmaceuticals

     The founder and Managing Director of Fidson Healthcare Plc., Dr Fidelis Ayebae, attributed the impressive performance of the company to the sustained support, trust, and interest of the company’s stakeholders and loyal customers. He also vowed to continue to pilot the affairs of the company to achieve better for Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system. He said: “Since inception, the success of our business has been dependent on our customers’ trust and continued patronage of our brands, most especially as an indigenous pharmaceutical company in a highly competitive market. This sustained trust and support has been the driving force for our relentless commitment to delivering excellence in all our operations. This, in turn, has yielded great returns, served as a catalyst for business expansion and crystalized our position as the industry’s leader.

     “Despite the very challenging business environment, we will continue to strengthen our internal control mechanisms and invest in the next generation of leaders to sustain our excellent performance and embed our corporate culture which ensures the company’s profitability while adding value to lives. Given the company’s rapid expansion, penchant for strategic partnerships and workforce empowerment, we believe that this initiative will deliver the desired stability that will propel the company to its next phase of growth, relevance and dominance.”