Category: Health

In line with its mission to provide Nigerians with the fastest, most convenient and affordable access to the best medical expertise available anywhere in the world, Duchess International Hospital, Lagos, has launched an “Access to Affordable World-class Healthcare Programmme (AAWHP).”

With as little as N5,000 registration to get family card and seeing renowned consultants starting from N5,000, the management of Duchess Hospital is making a bold statement that the purpose-built, state-of-the art 100-bed hospital is not only for the elite. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital, Dr Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey, said AAWHP was designed to “provide access to the hospital’s extensive range of high-quality services in emergency medicine and critical care, women’s health and paediatric care services, cardiovascular medicine, kidney dialysis, endoscopy, medical and surgical treatment interventions, dental treatments, eye care services and a wide variety of additional services and sub-specialties all available at a single location in the heart of Ikeja.”

The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while leading over 30 journalists on a tour of the hospital, said that with world-class health facilities like Duchess International Hospital springing up across Nigeria, the country is on the path to becoming a destination for medical tourism and also reversing medical tourism, conserving  foreign exchange and creating jobs.

While commending the hospital for putting up such a world- class healthcare facility in Ikeja, Mohammed noted that “with what we have seen today and the programme that has just been launched, Nigerians can now get access to affordable and quality healthcare in any area of medicine by obtaining a card for N5000 and consultancy fee to see an expert starting from N5,000.”

He said with this friendly fee structure, Duchess Hospital has widened the population of Nigerians who can access quality healthcare. The minister expressed delight that many of the doctors at Duchess Hospital, a subsidiary of the Reddington Hospital Group, are Nigerians who had trained and worked abroad, but who have decided to return home to practise because of the availability of cutting-edge medical facilities and good work environment.

The Duchess International Hospital was launched in October 2021 by the Vice- President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. It was partly funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) as part of the overall plan by the Federal Government to make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable to more Nigerians across socio-economic divide.

In a bid to reposition and strengthen its brand awareness among Nigerians, the West African Seasoning Company Limited (WASCO), an affiliate of the global food giant, Ajinomoto and makers of Aji-no-moto® Umami food seasoning, has changed its name to Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited. This was disclosed by WASCO’s Managing Director, Mr. Niki Junichi, who said the name change would contribute to making the company stronger and accelerate its business for a brighter future in Nigeria.

Junichi assured that Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited will continually and significantly contribute to promotion of good health and good culinary practice for healthy living of all families through the provision of nutritional seasoning products and other products of high quality to consumers. He said: “I would like to inform you all that West African Seasoning Company Limited has changed its name to Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited. I truly believe the change will contribute to making our company stronger in Nigeria.

“There are two aspects of the purpose of changing our company’s name to a one including Ajinomoto.One is to strengthen the brand awareness and power of Ajinomoto among consumers, which is widely known in Nigeria by using the same brand name in our company’s name. Almost 100 per cent of our foreign affiliates use the name Ajinomoto in each company’s name.”

According to him, every time the company’s name is exposed; it will indirectly boost the name awareness of Aji-no-moto® brands. “Second is for all stakeholders of our company including customers, our employees, etc. By informing our company name with the brand of Aji-no-moto®, it will simply make quicker and better understanding of what our company is. I can imagine when we mention our company’s name to our friends, relatives, family members, etc., they surely will understand which company we belong to. Let us use this opportunity to accelerate our business for a brighter future,” he said.

Junichi noted that based on its safety, Aji-no-moto® umami seasoning is consumed in over 130 countries, adding that the usage of Monosodium Glutamate is to enhance taste and also increase deliciousness of food. Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Ltd. commenced sales and marketing of Aji-no-moto® Umami seasoning products in Nigeria in 1991. With the need to satisfy its teeming consumers, the company spreads its sales & marketing functions to various branch offices nationwide. The food seasoning product has been selling for over hundred years, now selling in more than one hundred countries and regions including Japan, United States, France, Russia, Mexico, China, Belgium, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, among others.

In furtherance of its commitment to provide high quality tertiary healthcare services to Lagos State residents and beyond, the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has launched a new dialysis unit.

According to Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo, LASUTH Chief Medical Director, the new dialysis unit is dedicated to improving health outcomes for patients who have chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injuries and end stage renal disease. The unit has eight dialysis stations, which cater for a minimum of 22 sessions daily and 660 dialysis sessions monthly. This is in addition to the existing six dialysis machines in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of the hospital (a private-public venture).

He said LASUTH is the first public tertiary hospital in Lagos State to have a Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) machine. This is a 24-hour, non-stop dialysis machine used to support unstable patients with renal failure. The unit also has two dedicated machines for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis patients. The dialysis machine performs some functions of the kidney in filtering waste products and excess fluid from a patient’s blood when the kidneys are malfunctioning. The most common form of dialysis is haemodialysis and a session takes an average of four hours, which is typically carried out three times a week.

The new dialysis unit will be providing standard haemodialysis care to patients with all spectrums of renal diseases requiring dialysis. The primary goal is to ensure a safe procedure with the best possible therapeutic outcome by using the latest technology, convenient scheduling and dedicated staff.

A nutritionist, Ms Abigail Akintola, said on Tuesday in Jos that stress could trigger diabetes in an individual.

Akintola made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

`The more the stress in an individual, the more the body produces glucose, if the glucose builds up in the blood stream this could lead to glucose rise in the body.

“Once a person is stressed, the body naturally produces more glucose (high sugar level) to help reenergise the body, after a while, the body system may not be able to covert the glucose into energy.

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“At this stage, if the body can no longer control the sugar level, there is tendency that such people might start developing diabetes.’’

Akintola, however, advised that people should always make out time to rest and limit the stressors in their lives to help keep their health in check.

She further advised that people should pay more attention to what they eat as most ailments were linked to what people consume and their lifestyles in general.

She said that Nigerians should inculcate the act of eating healthy and drinking healthily. (NAN)

THE Medical Director/President, Optimal Specialist Hospitals Limited, Dr. Celestine U Chukwunenye, has been made the Grand Patron of the Initiative For Positive Influence on the African Youths(IPIAY).

The group’s President Ambassador Hermann Mbasela said Chukwunenye was chosen because of his zeal for ‘continental development, youth emancipation and dedication to regional development”.

“We are aware of your untiring efforts in making sure that a better foundation is laid for generation yet unborn, at this point that youths need to have exemplary role models and mentors; we have carefully selected you to be our Grand Patron because we believe in your leadership sagacity and shall be very grateful if you can oblige us this great opportunity to be under your mentorship,” he added.

Chukwunenye thanked the group for the gesture. He pledged to assist them in realising the objective of their association.
He advised the youths to be of good behaviour, reminding them of the saying: ‘Youths are the leaders of tomorrow.”

He said some youths had become problems in the society because of their bad behaviour, warning such to change.

Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said his administration has reduced malaria prevalence to below national average by injecting more than N150m into the State Malaria Elimination Programme.

He said this has boosted the ‘Malaria Free Kwara initiatives’ and elevated the State’s status in the National Malaria Elimination Programme.

The Governor spoke at a book distribution to commemorate the World Malaria Day 2022 organised by his wife, Olufolake, in Ilorin, the state capital.

AbdulRazaq said prioritised investment in the health and environment sector in the State has yielded a 7% drop in malaria prevalence which is below the national average of 23%, according to the World Malaria Report 2021.

Represented by his Deputy,Kayode Alabi, the Governor said the State is getting closer to eliminating malaria with the strategic contributions by the First Lady to disseminate the highly informative and educative book, End Malaria.

He congratulated the author, Funmilayo Braithwaite, members of the Ajike People Support Centre and collaborators in the fight against malaria for the shared vision of ending malaria and aligning with the government’s agenda of building a better Kwara.

Kwara First Lady, Ambassador (Dr) Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq, commended the commitment of the State Government to eradicating malaria as a public health concern in the State through the launch of Malaria Free Kwara Initiative.

She called on critical stakeholders to work closely with development partners towards the elimination of the disease as they contribute to the achievements of other Sustainable Development Goals.

The author thanked the Kwara State Government for appreciating and identifying with her work in the fight against Malaria.

The Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA 2022) has called for nominations on the new categories.

According to Dr. Shola Alabi, NHEA Project Coordinator, the  activities in the sector in the last three years had made the  introductions possible  following reviews.

The categories, which fall under the Special Recognition and Special Awards, are the Most Outstanding Oncology Centre of the Year, the Most Responsive COVID-19 Testing Company of the Year, the Most Outstanding COVID-19 Consumables Manufacturer of the Year (Indigenous), the State with the Highest Percentage of COVID–19 Vaccinated Persons, the Most Outstanding Genomic Laboratory of the Year, and the State Government Health Insurance Scheme of the Year.

The theme for NHEA 2022 is ‘’Innovative health care in the era of change.’’

NHEA Director of Research and Development, Dr. Enoma Alade, said: “It is important that nominators visit the award site to review the entry criteria for each category before making their nominations.”

She, however, explained. Oncology facilities should be established and providing services for more than 12 months; accredited by  federal and state health authorities; providing two of either medical, radiological or surgical oncology services to the public; high patient volume above 100 patients per month; externally assessed quality of patient delivery; facility possesses an international certification of clinical quality; and has an established and functioning palliative care and end-of-life care system.

For state government’s Health Insurance Scheme, it has to be open to state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that operate a programme seen to be committed to the universal health and coverage that reduces the amount of out-of-pocket spending.

In addition, the number of new enrollees or percentage increase of new enrollees yearly; new health financing packages and models; geographic spread of enrollees within the state; and the percentage number of citizens registered with the state health insurance programme etc.

The event, which holds June 24, last year, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Vistoria Island, Lagos is supported by organisations such as the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Medical Association, Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, and PharmAccess Foundation.

The public can visit the award site www.nigeriahealthcareawards.com.ng/online-nominations-form/ to nominate. Nomination is expected to close on May 22. NHEA is organised by Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR), in collaboration with Anadach Group, United States.

 

LAMB Weston/Meijer has introduced pounded  potato to the market.

Lamb Weston Poundo potato is made from Irish potatoes and consists of flakes of the root vegetable, which is made into a light swallow meal by pouring the flakes into boiling water and stirring for five minutes to produce a light smooth dough. The  meal has a potato taste and aroma.

Lamb Weston/Meijer is one of the world’s largest producers and processors of potato products. Its products are sold in over 100 countries around the world and the global leader added Nigeria to its portfolio in 2017.

In Nigeria, Lamb Weston/Meijer trades as LWM Nigeria Limited. Its Managing Director, Victor Nwachukwu, said: “Potato is an excellent source of dietary fibre, potassium, Vitamins B6 and C, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus, among others.

Lamb Weston Poundo Potato is designed for convenience and to present a light meal option to consumers. Also, it guarantees a ‘lump free’  meal that is ready in five minutes.

“We are pleased with the initial reception of the ‘orange pack of Irish Potato goodness’ and the increasing awareness among discerning consumers about the value that Lamb Weston Poundo Potato brings to their  health and convenience needs,” Nwachukwu said.

Nordica Fibroids Care Centre, the first fibroid care centre with HIFU in West Africa, has treated no fewer than 100 women with fibroids and adenomyosis through non-invasive technology, the high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Its Medical Director/CEO, Nordica Fibroids Care Centre, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, broke the news at a press conference in Lagos.

He said the facility opened its doors to deliver the first non-invasive technology in the management of uterine fibroids through HIFU on Friday, July 9, last year.

“Since we opened our doors in July last year, we have done 100 successful treatments to date and still counting. 100 women have had the opportunity to get rid of fibroids and adenomyosis that may have defined their lives, before they did the procedure. From our facility here in Lekki, we have treated women from all works of life from across the country. We are delighted every time a woman walks into our facility with fibroids and or adenomyosis and she leaves here a few hours later devoid of the torment of her ailment,” he said.

The doctor noted: “The relief we see on their faces gives us joy that the investment we have made in this area of uterine fibroid management is bringing relief to our women folk who would ordinarily have been scared of open surgery, and may have decided to live their lives with the pain, discomfort, blood loss and we have saved many women from the risk of blood transfusion, anaesthesia and loss of man hours at work.”

Ajayi noted that despite the realities that private medical practice faces in rising energy costs, skyrocketing foreign exchange rates and the myriad of infrastructural challenges facing our country at this time.

He added: “We are even more resolved at focusing our attention on expanding our scope of operations to cover other locations in Nigeria. For us at the Fibroids Care Centre, it is a call to service. It means we are committed to working tirelessly to help more women access to the HIFU technology to deal with the fibroids. It is a call for us to reach out to more women living in Nigeria and the West African sub region to take advantage of HIFU and improve the quality of their lives.”

He posited that in celebrating this 100th treatment, the facility is also expanding access for medical doctors to be trained in the use of the HIFU technology as part of its commitment to continuous professional training.

“We have called for applications from interested doctors to apply for this specialised training to join a global workforce of highly skilled individuals. The more doctors that are trained, the better for the patients and our health sector. We believe that by the time we are celebrating our 200th treatment, Nigeria will be on the path to becoming a significant contributor to the global effort in fibroids care management via non-invasive methods,” he added.

 

With the opening of Duchess International Hospital, a world-class facility in Lagos, Nigerians no longer have reasons to embark on foreign medical trips.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this after a tour of the state-of-the-art establishment in Lagos on Tuesday.

An ecstatic Mohammed enthused that Duchess International Hospital will  reduce the drain caused by medical tourism on the country’s foreign reserves, adding that the Federal Government’s financial interventions in the sector were meant to boost the world-class health care facilities like the Duchess International Hospital.

This is further borne out of the belief that Nigerians, just like their counterparts in more developed climes, also deserve to have access to the best medical services at affordable prices, he stated.

Addressing reporters after the tour, the minister promised that he and other top government officials would register in the hospital, stressing that Nigerian doctors abroad have reasons to come back home to render services in the new hospitals.

With more world-class health care facilities like Duchess Hospital opening for business in the country, Mohammed said he is optimistic that Nigeria will soon become a destination for medical tourists; instead of the usual ruinous practice of having  poor and rich Nigerians jetting abroad to expend over N500 billion yearly on medical tourism.

He described Duchess International Hospital which delivers the highest standard of health care, using the most advanced technology to provide world-class treatments to Nigerians through its team of best medical expertise sourced from Nigeria and abroad.

The minster said he was happy that patients have started coming in from other countries to access health care in Duchess Hospital, a facility he described as a one-stop shop for comprehensive medical services.

“The Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI), provided  support for Duchess International Hospital.

“Recall that in the wake of COVID-19, the CBN set up the N100 billion health care sector intervention fund, expanded to N200 billion, to provide credit support for the sector through long-term, low-cost financing,” he said.

According to Mohammed, what the Duchess International Hospital means as Nigeria’s success story is that the country can start conserving its foreign reserves, earning foreign exchange, creating much-need jobs, reversing the scourge of brain drain and, ultimately, becoming a destination for medical tourists who are often in search of  affordable and standard healthcare services.

“We, as a country, will also conserve our foreign reserves while earning foreign exchange: we will begin to reverse the brain drain in the health sector; create jobs and provide affordable and standard healthcare for our people. It’s a new dawn for the health sector and we are proud of what Duchess and other health care facilities are doing in bringing about this new dawn.”

He further recalled that records show that Nigerians spend between USD1.2 and USD1.6 billion on medical tourism.

“That’s a huge drain on our foreign reserves. Also, to retain doctors, our healthcare facilities must be equipped to the world standard level and doctors and other healthcare workers must be adequately remunerated. Of course, facilities like Duchess International are veritable tools for job creation, in addition to attracting medical tourists from across the world.

“I am sure the questions on the lips of many here would be how affordable this hospital is, especially for ordinary Nigerians. Fittingly, the management of Duchess Hospital has answered that question by launching the ‘World-class Affordable Healthcare Programme.’

“With what we have seen here today and the programme that has just been launched, Nigerians can now get access to affordable and world-class treatment in whatever is ailing them in many areas, including emergency medicine, women’s health, paediatric care, cardiovascular medicine, kidney dialysis, dental treatment, eye care, etc.”

Launching the hospital’s World-class Affordable Health care Programme, the Chief Executive Officer, Duchess International Hospital, Dr Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey, announced that with only N5,000, a patient could register in the hospital; while it takes the same amount to see any consultant in the hospital.

He said the mission of the hospital is to be the go-to facility where every Nigerian is assured of access to world-class healthcare service – a mission that will ultimately reverse medical tourism through delivery of highest standards of care, using the most advanced technology to give patients the fastest, most convenient access to the best medical expertise comparable to what is available anywhere in the world.

The CEO added that the hospital is positioned to solve the problems of access to affordable health care for communities by providing primary, secondary and tertiary health care across a range of specialist and sub-specialty areas.

“The Duchess International Hospital provides an impressive range of advanced and highly sophisticated facilities across a variety of specialties. The hospital, for example, offers the most advanced cardiac catheterisation (Cath lab) suite in Africa combined with the requisite international expertise and experience to provide minimally invasive (interventional) cardiological treatments and ‘open heart’ surgery in accordance with global best practice,” he said.

Inaugurated last October by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Duchess International Hospital, a new facility under the Reddington Hospitals group, is an indigenous brand, rooted in the needs and aspirations of the domestic populace and committed to providing access to high quality affordable health care for Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.