Category: Health

Nigeria recorded more than 100,000 suspected cases of cholera in 2021, its highest in recent times, the WHO declared in Abuja on Monday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had said earlier in the year that Nigeria recorded 111,062 cases of cholera in 2021 with 3,604 deaths, figures exceeding the number of cases and deaths recorded in 2020.

WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, corroborated the figure at a training session on oral cholera vaccine request and campaign planning organised by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC).

The GTFCC is an agency of the WHO.

Mulombo acknowledged the role of the GTFCC and its Country Support Platform (CSP) in the global roadmap for cholera control, especially in endemic countries.

He said the agency had proved to be effective in the development of National Control Plans, which included vaccination and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities.

“We are mindful of the support by different partners and donors through the WHO, for the response.

“This include reactive vaccination with more than 1.7 million persons vaccinated with two doses each of Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) in Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, and Zamfara states.

“We believe that the recently approved GTFCC application for Nigeria will significantly mitigate the risk of and upsurge of cholera cases during this rainy season.

READ ALSO: Nigeria and cholera’s calling card

“The application covers approximately nine million doses of OCV to implement two campaigns in 14 local government areas in nine states and the FCT,’’ Mulombo said.

He stressed the need for speedy shipment and allocation of the vaccines to ensure early vaccination.

The WHO representative said Nigeria had demonstrated the capacity to implement vaccinations in difficult settings like insecurity, as experienced in two local government areas in Zamfara.

He noted that the country had also addressed and improved vaccination data quality through the use of real-time reporting by campaign teams using handheld mobile phones.

“We believe that the vast experience built in Nigeria over the years in implementing mass vaccination campaigns will come to bear as we prepare for the next preventive campaigns.

Mulombo challenged Nigeria to seize all opportunities for vaccination in specifically target areas with zero doses and ensure that often-missed children were offered OCV and all routine vaccinations.

This, he said, was necessary so that the country would meet the global target of ending cholera by 2030

There is the need to improve coordination of cholera control efforts and ensure that clean and safe water as well as improved hygienic practices are implemented sustainably to achieve the desired goal, he said. (NAN)

In response to increasing outcry about professional negligence or misconduct on the part of some medical practitioners, leading to permanent injuries or death of patients in some instances, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) disciplinary tribunal regularly punishes erring medical doctors in the form of de-registration and suspension, reports MOSES EMORINKEN.

It was not meant to be a journey of no return, but it ultimately ended as one for Mrs Gift Eleojo Chukwukelu. That was on August 8, 2019, when Chukwukelu took the decision to visit Khadija Medical Centre (KHAMEC) located at No. 53, Katsina Road, Funtua, Katsina State. It was a step that plunged her into a six-feet grave.

Heavy in pains of labour, Chukwukelu trusted that one Dr Umeh Chimaroke Gustav, a registered medical practitioner, under whom she was placed, would do all that he reasonably ought to have done for her good. However, the said doctor did not only fail to attend to her promptly, or sought the expertise of consultants in appropriate fields when he discovered the severity of her condition, but also prescribed and administered wrong medications. This further complicated her condition, leading to her eventual demise.

According to the review of the case by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal obtained by The Nation, the doctor was tried for a five-count charge: did not take adequate steps to ensure that his patient, who had had four previous caesarean sections, was not allowed to go into labour. Also, her condition was such that it required prompt attention, which the doctor failed to give.

In its recent sitting, the MDCN disciplinary tribunal listed the five-count charge against Gustav: manifest incompetence in the assessment of the patient; failure to attend to the patient as promptly as her condition required; wrong advice during confinement; prescription and administration of oxytocin to her, despite the fact of her history of multiple previous caesarean sections; and gross negligence and failure to do all that he reasonably ought to have done for her good.

It was, however, not substantiated that the respondent proffered any wrong advice to the patient, said the Chairman of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Prof Abba Hassan. There is no iota of evidence to prove this allegation, the tribunal chairman said. But Gustav was axed on other charges. “It is in evidence that the respondent prescribed and gave the patient oxytocin and ergometrin in a case of suspected ruptured uterus and multiple previous caesarean section history. This clearly shows that the respondent mismanaged his patient.

“It is apparent from the facts before this tribunal that there were many options the respondent ought to have taken for the good of his patient, but he failed to avail himself of them. For example, he ought to have sought the expertise of consultants in the appropriate fields. Secondly, he could very easily have referred the patient to another health facility where proper and expert care could have been availed the patient. The respondent failed to do what he reasonably ought to have done,” Hassan said.

The tribunal’s verdict was that the respondent was guilty of count 1, 2, 4, and 5; while he was not guilty of count 3. It sentenced the doctor to six (6) months suspension on each of the counts to run concurrently. “The tribunal has listened to the plea of allocutus from the respondent’s counsel and considered the fact that he has been on interim suspension from September, 2021; and hereby sentenced the respondent, Dr. Umeh Chimaroke Gustav, to six months suspension on each of the counts to run concurrently from now,” the tribunal said.

Last month, another doctor, Dr Celsius Ukelina Undie, was found guilty of two charges out of five. The charges ranged from insisting on receiving full payment before carrying out a procedure to failure to show appropriate empathy for the condition of his patient to refusal to promptly carry out a procedure he had determined was necessary to willfully and unnecessarily divulging the medical secrets of some people who submitted themselves to him as patients to engaging in full-time private practice in his private hospital (Kelina Hospital), while on a full time employment in the Federal Public Service at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Dr Undie, a registered medical practitioner at Kelina Hospital, Abuja, was axed for his handling of 92-year old Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, a patient under his care. The patient was bleeding as he urinated. The tribunal explained that there was substantial evidence to show that the doctor failed to promptly carry out a procedure he had determined was necessary for the patient. Incidentally, the very care the Respondent doctor failed to promptly give his patient was promptly received by the patient at Chivars Clinic, where the patient had to move to.

“The tribunal, having read all the facts, evidence and exhibits of the case, and having considered all the circumstances of the case and the final written addresses by counsel on both sides, hereby make the following findings: That the Respondent doctor did not insist on receiving full payment before carrying out a procedure; that the Respondent doctor took sufficient steps to make the patient comfortable as a mark of care and empathy as required of a medical practitioner. That the Respondent doctor failed to promptly carry out a procedure he had determined was necessary.

“That count four (4) of the charge having been withdrawn by the prosecution, is accordingly struck out. That the Respondent was in full time employment in a Federal Public Service (the National Hospital, Abuja), while running his private hospital (Kelina Hospital). Verdict: Count one, Not Guilty; Count two, Not Guilty; Count three, Guilty; Count four, Not Guilty; Count five, Guilty. The Tribunal has listened to the plea of allocutus from the Respondent’s Counsel and considered and hereby sentence the Respondent, Dr. Celsus Ukelina Undie to three (3) months suspension on each of the counts to run concurrently from now.”

Another doctor, Evaristus Uzoma Azodoh, a registered medical practitioner, practicing as such, on or about 21 October 2015 at Chivar Specialist Hospital and Urology Centre, 68 Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, was discharged and acquitted after he was found not guilty of the one-count charge leveled against him. He took over the management of one Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki as a patient under his care after the patient left Kelina hospital. He was alleged to have taken over the management of the patient, despite knowing that the patient was already under the treatment of another practitioner at Kelina Hospital, without giving prior notice to the said practitioner.

Findings by the tribunal, however, showed that the respondent doctor did not violate Rule 42.2 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria 2008. On the contrary, the tribunal maintained that he is covered by the exception provided in that same Rule 42.2. “As argued by the Respondent’s counsel, this was a case of medical emergency where the safety and sanctity of the life of a 92 years old man was involved. What the doctor did was in the overall interest of his patient whose life was in serious jeopardy. The Honourable Members of this Tribunal having read and considered all the facts, evidence, exhibits and final written addresses of counsel, hold that the prosecution was unable to prove the one-count charge against the Respondent,” it said.

One Dr Balogun Olayinka Rabiu, a registered medical practitioner and practising as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Surulere Medical Centre, 47 Alikinla Street, S.K. Dan Alhaji Quarters Ilorin and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, llorin both in Kwara State, was standing trial on a six-count charge.

He was managing one Mrs Misturat Ayo Ajibade (now deceased), who was pregnant at the time. According to the tribunal, by an affidavit of complaint dated 20th July 2020, Mr Nurudeen Ajibade alleged that the Respondent doctor, Balogun Olayinka Rabiu, was negligent, and conducted himself unprofessionally in the management of his pregnant wife, Mrs Misturat Ajibade (now deceased) while attending to her as his patient at Surulere Medical Centre, Ilorin, and at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

The tribunal further stated that the facts showed that the deceased had intrauterine fetal death with a ruptured uterus, and she eventually died at the UITH where the Respondent doctor had referred her to. Mr Nurudeen Ajibade further complained that he and his wife promptly reported at Surulere Medical Centre at about 11:30am on May 30, 2020 when she noticed reduced movement of the foetus, but were examined by the nurses and told to go home and return in one week. However, her condition deteriorated and they returned the following day – May 31, 2020.

After several attempts at induction, she was then referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for an emergency surgery to remove the dead foetus. The nominal complainant asserted that the Respondent did not give his pregnant wife the right level of attention commensurable with the severity of her condition and that he delayed in referring her to the UITH from his private hospital. However, the Tribunal stated that the Respondent Doctor was not negligent in the management of the late Mrs Misturat Ajibade. It however holds that the respondent failed to attend to Mrs. Ajibade as promptly as her condition required.

“The respondent did not follow up on the management of the patient in a professional manner. Therefore, count four (4) succeeds. In the circumstances, the tribunal holds that the prosecution has not proved the allegations in counts 1 to 3, 5 and 6 against the respondent. “Verdict: Count one, Not Guilty; Count two, Not Guilty; Count three, Not Guilty; Count four, Guilty; Count five, Not Guilty; and Count six, Not Guilty,” the tribunal said. He was then admonished by the tribunal to be of good behaviour in his medical practice.

Another doctor, Adesola Muideen Gbenga, who was facing a two-count charge in connection with the management of the deceased patient, Mrs Misturat Ajibade, was found not guilty of the charges bordering on failure to attend to the deceased promptly and gross negligence in her management. However, after presentation of evidence by both the Respondent and Prosecution Counsels, coupled with the review of the case by the tribunal, the Respondent doctor was found not guilty of the two charges. He was discharged and acquitted by the tribunal.

Also last month, MDCN disciplinary tribunal also suspended a Jos-based medical practitioner, Michael Owoicho-Odeh, for six months. He was suspended for malpractice and allegedly enticing one Mrs. Sharon Ifeoma Orji. The five-member tribunal sanctions the medical doctor finding him guilty for engaging in malpractice and enticing Mrs. Orji during his medical practice.

In his counter-affidavit, the respondent denied knowing Mrs. Orji and her children and that he has established his medical practice under the name ELROI Mission Hospital on April 15, 2014. Owoicho-Odeh, who stressed that his first contact with Mrs. Orji was on October 25, 2014 (six months after he had established his own Medical practice), further argued that Mrs. Orji was brought to his hospital by one Chukwuma Enweluani in a state of shock, following severe diarrhoea and about of throw-ups and was treated and discharged the following day.

Curtailing medical professionals’ misconduct: A three-year scorecard

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Just like in every sector, COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria and the attendant disruptions have impeded the frequency of sittings of the Tribunal. Despite that, between 2019 and 2021, reports showed that the MDCN disciplinary tribunal, since it was reconstituted during the first plenary session of the MDCN Council in December 2018 and had its first session between 8th and 12th of January 2019, showed that the tribunal has held several sessions within which it has adjudicated over 38 cases.

As provided under section 16 (1) (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap M8 LFN 2004 (as amended), the tribunal found the following doctors guilty of gross misconduct in a professional respect and directed the registrar to erase their names from the register of medical practitioners in Nigeria to wit. They are: Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji of Jimeta Clinic and Maternity, Jimeta Yola (erased as directed) – no appeal; Dr Sunday Elusoji of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (erased as directed) – has appealed against the decision; Dr. Stephen Oludare Alaiyemola of Philadelphia Specialist Hospital, Apapa, Lagos State, whose name has been erased from the medical register during the ongoing session of the tribunal.

Medical doctors that were convicted, suspended or admonished

The Tribunal has also found the following doctors guilty of misconduct(s) in a professional respect and suspended them from practice for periods stated against their names to wit: Dr Umar Nasiru Ibrahim of Al Noor Clinic and Maternity, Angwan Rogo, Jos Plateau State, who bagged and served three months suspension; Dr. Nwikwu Mezie Vitalis of De Vital Care Hospital, Ojo Lagos State, who bagged and served six months suspension; Dr. Jamilu Muhammed of Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital, Zuru, Kebbi State, who bagged and served three months suspension; Dr Godwin Chukwuma Maduakor of Fedcral Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State, who bagged and served six months suspension; Dr. Anunobi Chijioke Ralu of Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State, who bagged and served three months suspension (has appealed against the decision).

Others are: Dr. Charles Ikeji of Kefland Family Hospital, Apo Mechanic Village Abuja, who bagged and served three months suspension; Dr. Terhemba Lan of 360 Clinic and Maternity, Mpape, Bwari, FCT, who bagged and served three months suspension; Dr. Mukaila Oyewunmi Oladipo of R-Jolad Hospital Gbagada Lagos State, who bagged and served three months suspension; Dr. Musa Danjuma of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, who bagged and served three months suspension; Dr. Sullyman Kokori of Garkuwa Specialist Hospital Kaduna, who bagged and served six months suspension on two counts charge and to serve consecutively (serving); Dr. Stephen Oludare Alaiyemola of Philadelphia Specialist Hospital, Apapa, Lagos State, who bagged and served six months suspension; Dr. Adolphus Oraifo of Oriaifo Memorial Hospital Benin City, Edo State, who bagged and served three months suspension and passed on before the date of enforcement.

The tribunal also convicted the following doctors of misconduct in a professional respect and admonished them. They are: Dr. Babatunde Oyefara of Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State; Dr. Zakari Mohammed of Premier Clinic Gyadi, Gyadi, Kano State; Dr. lyoha Joseph of R-Jolad Hospital Gbagada Lagos State; Dr. Sunday Ogafe Ojenuwah of Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State; and Dr. Ogunsanmi Sunday of Evening Light Dental Clinic, Jabi, Abuja.

Medical doctors who were discharged and acquitted or those whose cases were struck out

The Tribunal discharged and acquitted the following doctors from allegations of misconduct: Dr. Shehu Abdullahi Mohammed of Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital Kano, Kano State; Dr. Adesina Jenrola of Madonna Hospital Makurdi, Benue State; Dr. Silas Ochejele of Madonna Hospital Makurdi, Benue State; Dr. Agu Osondu Chukwuka of Premier Clinic, Gyadi, Kano State; Dr. Rasaq Akintunde Akindele of Gold Cross Hospital, Ikoyi Lagos; Dr. Olajide Festus Bolaji of Gold Cross Hospital, Ikoyi Lagos; Dr. Okoye Pascal Nnamdi of Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State; Dr. Adigba Ese Onodjohwoyovwe of Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State; Dr. Okoye Chukwu Obumneme of Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State; Dr. Iyiola Akeem Adewole of Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State.

In the same vein, charges against the following doctors were struck out for various reasons as stated against their names. Dr. Erinfolami Adebayo of Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Charge withdrawn by the prosecution; Dr. Bolanle Adeyemi of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Charge withdrawn by the prosecution; Dr. Fabian Upuji. Passed on before arraignment; Dr. Dada Gbadebo Eleshin of Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, Kogi State. Charge withdrawn by the prosecution; Dr. Shirish Tanksale of Shirish Clinic Sango Ota, Ogun State, who passed on before arraignment; Dr. Martins Emmanuel of GMC, whose cases were directed by the registrar for administrative treatment.

The MDCN practitioners’ disciplinary tribunal, being a court of first hearing in matters of alleged ethical misconduct that are properly reported, has the status of a High Court. Therefore, medical practitioners who appear before the tribunal – whether as complainants, defendants or witnesses, whether or not they are also represented by a lawyer – must conduct themselves as they would before a High Court. This code of behaviour is equally applicable to counsel who appear at the tribunal; while practitioners who make public comments on cases pending before the MDCN investigating panel or disciplinary tribunal, or cases where the time for appeal has not expired, shall be guilty of contempt of the panel or tribunal, as the case may be, and shall be liable to appropriate disciplinary action. Any Doctor who wishes to contest the judgment can only go to the appeal court.

The tribunal said that many other medical doctors and dentists who were convicted by the tribunal of different professional offences were made to serve different punishments, including temporary suspension, while some were acquitted and others struck out for, perhaps, lack of merit. While speaking about feats achieved between 2018 and 2021, Waziri stressed that the judgments of the tribunal are never intended to witch-hunt any doctor but to promote professionalism and ensure that medical doctors do their jobs professionally to the satisfaction of their conscience and the patients. Within the period under review, the tribunal had seven sessions within which it adjudicated over 38 cases segmented as erasure, temporary suspension, conviction, discharge and acquitted, and struck out cases for some reasons.

‘Other regulatory bodies should wake up to protect the lives of Nigerians’

Speaking with The Nation, the Registrar of the MDCN, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, urged other regulatory bodies within the health sector to wake up to their responsibilities of regulating, monitoring, evaluating and punishing the behaviours of their erring members. He said any medical officer caught toying with the lives of their patients by being negligent, corrupt and in some cases showing gross incompetence while managing their patients, should be disciplined so that adherence to ethical standards are upheld.

“Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria is not the only regulatory body in the health sector. We need to know and ask questions about what is happening to the pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, nurses, etc. Most of the time, they always fight with the doctors, meanwhile they do not do their jobs. If they have nothing to do, it is better that the Federal Government does something about them.

“You only hear of them when they talk against doctors; they want to be on the same level with doctors. The doctors are doing what they are supposed to do and protecting the society against the antics of its members, but these people protect their members whether they are doing the right or wrong things.

“For instance, go to any Pharmacy outlet – community pharmacy – where they do consultations, are they trained to consult patients and diagnose? The same goes to the medical laboratory scientists. They are supposed to act on investigations carried out, and transmit the result back to the doctor; not writing drugs because they are not trained to do this. For the nurses, how many of them have registered medical practitioners in their nursing homes. You only hear their voices through the Joint Health Staff Union (JOHESU).

“Are they now saying that the pharmacists, nurses, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, etc., are not doing things that are unethical? They are not within our purvey. Their regulatory bodies are not doing the right things. They have to do what is expected of them,” Sanusi said.

An innovative partnership between LaFiya Telehealth and Tyto Care has been announced. The two organisations said the partnership aims to improve telemedicine by helping physicians examine and diagnose patients virtually beyond video consultations in Nigeria. The partnership will advance telemedicine at home by accelerating the depth of clinical care that patients can get remotely in Nigeria.

The partnership will bring an integration of their services to enable remote examinations with live streaming, information from Tyto Care Home kits and consequently allow for a more precise and detailed prognosis and early diagnosis. This level of care is beyond what is offered through video consultations, and improves access and the quality of healthcare provided. Patients and consumers will have access to digital prescriptions, drug delivery services, medical examinations and access to over 600 board certified medical doctors and specialists from Nigeria and abroad.

Not only that. The telemedicine services will be available 24/7 and they will include prescription and referral services as needed and as provided by LaFiya Telehealth; while Tyto Care will enable patients to examine and diagnose themselves using their Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered TytoHome handheld examination device. The device will provide a better understanding of patient’s conditions, need for treatment and the urgency to see a clinician, as well as help clinician’s better triage on patients.

Catapulted by the Covid-19 pandemic, adoption of telemedicine services in developing and developed countries has been growing as people find solutions to safe and accessible healthcare. Telemedicine provides a solution to any deficits in healthcare professionals and reduces delays that may be experienced in accessing health care in different geographic locations, John Enoh, founder of LaFiya Telehealth, said.

“As COVID-19 wages war, and more patients and providers adopt telehealth and telemedicine, it’s critical that we accelerate the depth of care that can be provided at home to keep patients and medical professionals safe in Nigeria and around the world. We are excited to partner with Tyto Care to treat patients remotely with in-depth, physical examinations during video visits.”

LaFiya Telehealth is currently integrated to 10 hospitals for referrals, over 10 medical lab centers, 1,500 pharmacy stores across Nigeria with an option for prescribed medication home delivery or pickup at any of the pharmacy store closer to the patients.

Enoh added that the latest exclusive integrations and newly designed workflows will allow healthcare providers to clinically come closer than ever before to patients during telehealth encounters, allowing them to see, interact, examine and deliver care in ways that growingly replicate in-person care.

“By pairing the TytoHome handheld examination device with LaFiya Telehealth’s platform, healthcare solutions will be brought closer to consumers to provide the best home examination and diagnosis solutions. This will further revolutionize primary healthcare in Nigeria, as we contribute to improving health outcomes and experiences for both patients and clinicians,” said Dedi Gilad, CEO and Co-Founder, Tyto Care.

Tyto Care’s FDA-cleared handheld examination kit will enable users to perform comprehensive physical exams of the heart, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, and lungs, and measure heart rate and body temperature, which are key for treating many acute and chronic conditions. This will allow healthcare clinicians to gain vital clinical data that is required to monitor, diagnose, and treat patients and avoid unnecessary in-person visits.

A non-governmental Organisation (NGO) with the goal of providing life-saving logistics to the vulnerable, Giving Tide International, has inaugurated a health initiative, called Stable Health Initiative.

It is Nigeria’s first free non-governmental ambulance system called ‘Ambulance Without Borders.’

The NGO unveiled the initiative as part of its activities to mark the World Health Day (WHD).

The WHD, being a day observed globally under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), is celebrated yearly to draw attention to health issues of concern to people all over the world.

The theme for WHD is “Our planet, our health.” This year, WHD aims to focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being?

The theme of the WHD called on all to reimagine a world where clean air, water, and food are available to all; where economies are focused on health and well-being, and where cities are liveable and people have control over their health and the health of the planet!

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), while the COVID-19 pandemic showed the healing power of science to the world, it has also highlighted the inequities in the world, since the pandemic has revealed weaknesses in all areas of society and underlined the urgency of creating sustainable well-being societies committed to achieving equitable health now and for future generations without breaching ecological limits.

While the design of the economy breeds inequitable distribution of income, wealth, and power, with too many people still living in poverty and instability, a well-being economy has human well-being, equity and ecological sustainability as its goals, the global health giant said.

Therefore, in line with the goals of WHO, GivingTide International, in collaboration with mass medical mission (m3), has inaugurated the stable health initiative.

The initiative involves the incorporation of a free ambulance system and a free into a free systematic yearly health screening for Nigerians.

Project Coordinator, Dr Kim Egwuchim, called on Lagos residents to register with the Ambulance Without Borders in case of emergencies, adding that people need to register before they can use the services free of charge.

He stressed the essence of pre-registration, saying the 1 ambulance is dedicated to serve 100,000 people before it can be said to be fully utilised. If there are no up to these numbers, it means that the ambulance is underutilised, he added. “If we have this (free ambulance service) and people don’t register, it is useless; it is a waste of resources,” he said.

The Executive Secretary of Giving Tide International, Dr Abia Nzelu, underlined the importance of the health initiative, saying it is to help prevent emergencies, give health educations, render free yearly cancer, and general health screening, which will coincide with the birth date of beneficiaries and render free emergency ambulance services for registered beneficiaries.

According to her, registration is free and it is the prerequisite to have access to all the services, which the initiative has to offer.

She noted that these services are restricted only to registered beneficiaries because it is a way of making the operations more effective.

“If there is an emergency, all you need to do is to place a call. You are already well known; we know your address and we already know the hospitals where you go to. So, it makes the logistics very easy,” she said.

The importance of this initiative in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.

According to the World Population report, Nigeria has the fourth lowest life expectancy in the world.

Nigerians, says the report, live about 10 years less than Ghanaians, 20 years less than Indians and 30 years less than Singaporeans.

Lagos (Nigeria’s economic capital) is ranked as the least liveable city in Africa and the second least liveable city in the world, according to the 2021 ranking of cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Healthcare infrastructure is a major criterion used in the ranking.

The Stable Health Initiative, Nzelu said, aims to complement the effort of the government in addressing this sad situation. The unique feature of the initiative is the combination of preventive and emergency coverage for the registered beneficiaries (registrants).

Registrants would have access to the following vital services: free health education, which will encompass a broad overview of the importance of lifestyle, diet, and environment in improving health status of registrants; free annual cancer/general health screening, which would be timed to coincide with the birthday of each registrant.

One ambulance is to serve 100,000 registrants (WHO recommendation). For example, Lagos State requires 200 ambulances for 20 million potential registrants.

To sustain these free services, GivingTide said, it aims to go beyond the conventional assumption that health infrastructure can be funded only by government budget or private investment, to further the 80/20 strategy of united and concerted philanthropy for the common good – since the current conventional system of funding health care has failed the masses and made health care to be out of their reach.

The 80/20 strategy empowers the social sector to complement government’s efforts through the establishment of world-standard institutions of care that are available to all strata of society,  Egwuchim said.

The free emergency ambulance service would ameliorate the burden of acute emergencies, compounded by COVID- 19.

Registration of beneficiaries of the Stable Health Initiative, which commenced on April 13, is free and open to persons without discrimination. Interested individuals can send their name and address to register@awb.health.

The target is to deploy one free ambulance for every 100,000 people, as recommended by WHO in underserved regions of the world, with Nigeria as its take-off location, he added.

 

With a new regenerative medicine, there is hope of full conjugal experience for millions of Nigerian girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) and wish to have their complete sexual wellness restored.

O-Shot, a regenerative medicine procedure that is done through adult stem cell therapy (non-invasive) or platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy (non-invasive), is a cosmetic procedure to enhance female sexual wellness.

According to the Medical Director of Glory Wellness and Regenerative Centre, Lekki, Lagos, Dr. David Ikudayisi, O-Shot (aka orgasm shot) treatment “involves injecting the clitoris, labia and G-spot with platelets-substances in your blood that contain healing proteins called growth factor-extracted from your own blood.”

He spoke during a webinar entitled: “Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): How to enhance your sexual experience through adult stem cell,” as part of activities to mark the International Women Day.

Ikudayisi explained that platelet rich plasma (PRP) from one’s blood, in addition to the use of adult stem cells (such as umbilical blood stem cells, fat-derived stem cells, bone marrow stem cells, stem cells exosomes) and shockwave therapy could be used to enhance female sexual wellness.

A United States Board Certified Internist and Regenerative Medicine Specialist, Ikudayisi said the application of PRP around the genital organ promotes blood flow and cell growth, which leads to regeneration within the clitoris. “The result is new, healthy tissues (clitoris) that are permanent,” he added.

The renowned Internist and Regenerative Medicine Specialist decried the high prevalence of female genital mutilation in Nigeria and in many African countries, saying that apart from denying women the opportunity of enjoying sex, it has huge health implications.

Health implications include abscesses, cysts, excessive scar tissue, painful sex and menstruation, Hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, urinary tract infections, infertility and increased risk of bleeding during childbirth.

Ikudayisi said a survey in February 2022 by Statista Research Department showed that 20 per cent of women surveyed in Nigeria had undergone female genital mutilation as at 2018. In 2013, it was 25 per cent.

According to him, Nigeria ranks the third highest globally in the prevalence of FGM, accounting for 10 per cent of the global total.

Ikudayisi identified age-long cultural and religious practices as the factors promoting FGM in Nigeria.

He said several civil society organisations and international non-governmental organisations were involved in strong advocacy against FGM; while those females who have come under the knife could get their genital area, especially clitoris back and hence have full sexual experience through the O-Shot therapy.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said alcohol produced in sachets and small volume polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and glass bottles below 200ml will be phased out by 2024 because the agency will no longer renew their registration.

The Director-General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who said this yesterday at a media interactive session in Lagos, stated that the agency will ensure that validity of renewal of registered alcoholic products in the affected category will not exceed 2024.

She explained that manufacturers of low volume alcohol beverages with satisfactory laboratory reports, which were  submitted to NAFDAC for registration before this decision, had been directed to reformulate their products to stipulated standards free of charge.

“Even as we grapple with the after-effects of COVID-19 pandemic, NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable youths against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol.”

The ban comes after the recommendation by the committee of the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Already, the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria has been given orders to embark on intensive nationwide sensitisation against consumption of alcohol by adolescents who are below 18 to stem alcohol abuse.

The producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume had  agreed to reduce production by 50 per cent, ensuring that the products are phased out by 2024.

Adeyeye also said the Vaccine Laboratory, Oshodi, Lagos, which is being constructed by the Federal Government, would be ready by the middle of the year.

On the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level Three certification, recently obtained by the agency, she explained that Nigeria and five other African countries had been chosen to commence the production of vaccines.

“We are building the vaccine laboratory in Oshodi, Lagos, which will be ready by the middle of the year or early in the third quarter. This success was because of the support we got from the government,” Adeyeye said.

On the WHO Maturity Level three certification, she noted that the agency scaled through 868 hurdles to obtain it.

“We started this journey in January 2018, five weeks after my resumption as NAFDAC Director-General. It was a torturous, tasking and highly demanding journey, but I went through it with the support of my directors, the governing council and other staff members, who made different sacrifices towards the realisation of the goal.

“When we started, the WHO listed 868 recommendations, which we must meet before we get to the Maturity Level Three status. Initially, it sounded impossible, but my directors stood by me all the way, in addition to many others, who did all forms of sacrifices to ensure that we achieve the feat.

“In June 2019, WHO officials visited NAFDAC headquarters in Abuja to commence the benchmarking. Of the 868 recommendations they listed, we were able to meet over 600 of them and were left with 147 items, which were the most difficult ones at that time. We started working at it. We organised town hall meetings and retreats for everyone involved along the chain. We made sure that NAFDAC was on the quality system, and that helped us greatly to achieve the feat.”

 

The Lagos State Government has enrolled 570 beneficiaries of its Mother, Infant and Child Development (MICHD) programme into its Health Insurance Scheme, Ilera Eko.

The enrollment was announced through the Office of Civic Engagement and Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), at the Partners Engagement Forum on MICHD.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, stated that the enrolment of the beneficiaries is a major component of the MICHD programme.

Launched by Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on the 22nd of September, 2021, MICHD is a component of the ‘Womb to School Initiative’ a preparedness preventive rather than curative security measure geared towards making Lagos safer by projected year 2050.

According to Adebowale, it is a strategy to build on the support given to the women while they were pregnant as well as sustain their access to affordable and qualitative healthcare services after delivery.

Her words: “The Office of Civic Engagement understands that to create a peaceful and safe environment where the government can function optimally, citizens from conception to birth and through adolescence to adulthood must be given a fair chance to live, grow and become responsible individuals who are less likely to exert social pressure on the system.

“Today’s engagement forum avails us the opportunity to meet with the 570 beneficiaries and their babies delivered during the research phase as they would be enrolled into the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme “ILERA EKO”, the enrollment of these babies on the insurance scheme is to ensure the mothers and their babies remains healthy. I sincerely welcome them on board.

“As all is set for the roll-out for the significant Launch Phase of this audacious programme, this forum is therefore a bold attempt to chart a veritable course of decisive actions that will make the phase a resounding success and sustainable.”

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Princess Adebowale said the engagement forum also provides opportunities for partners from the public and private sectors to meet with 570 beneficiaries of the programme.

Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, represented by Dr. Olamide Okulaja, said the MICHD Programme is part of the plan to ensure that the Lagos State Government can fulfil critical clauses in its social contract with people, through a single initiative, by following them from infancy to childhood and to adolescence.

“For civic engagement to be robust, it must first acknowledge the social contract between the government and its people. The social contract is a voluntary agreement among individuals by which organised society is brought into being and invested with the right to secure mutual protection and welfare of the citizens. The boundaries of civic engagement must become enlarged to encompass the critical elements of health, security and economy as these are the core responsibilities of any government.

“This initiative can ensure balanced citizens, who are productive members of the society, improve human capital development and cause us all to thrive economically in a safe and secure environment”.

The General Manager of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuela Zamba, assured that the Agency, saddled with the responsibility of implementing the State’s Health Insurance Scheme, will continue to collaborate with other stakeholders in the implementation of the programme in fulfilment of its core mandate of providing access to quality and affordable healthcare for Lagosians.

With an efficient healthcare delivery that ensures citizens’ rapid access to critical and emergency Primary Health Care (PHC) services, Nigeria’s fragile system is swiftly mutating to a robust one while struggling like every other country across the globe to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I participated in a recent retreat organized by Image Merchants Promotions Ltd (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, in conjunction with the Wole Soyinka Institute for Investigative Journalism and MacArthur Foundation.

During the training, celebrated journalist, Yusuf Alli took us on ‘Investigative reporting in the Digital Age’. He complained about media’s less attention on the health sector and called for a robust coverage for awareness.

While there are issues that need to be addressed, there are individuals, both in government and the private sector, who are breaking barriers and defying odds to fix the rot and bring the nation’s health sector at par with advanced countries. One of them is Dr Faisal Shuaib.

Under his watch, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has established terrains through medical intelligence to revive the healthcare system – having suffered from the pandemic – to ensure that at least 70 percent of Nigerians including those with underlying health challenges are fully vaccinated.

As the World Health Day is celebrated annually in accordance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) aim to discuss health-related issues, it is important to recognize Dr Shuaib’s unwavering effort to ensure that the economy is focused more on the wellbeing of citizens. The WHO certified Nigeria polio-free in 2020 after he assumed office.

The NPHCDA is ensuring that cities are liveable, that people have control over their health, and that Nigeria, Africa’s biggest entity, pulls through COVID-19 and a polluted planet where diseases like cancer, asthma, heart diseases among others are rapidly increasing.

The agency has done a lot of work in healthcare revitalization, immunization for a polio-free country and containing the spread of the pandemic. It has set a historic record towards stimulating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 by ensuring healthy living of all citizens.

A WHO report revealed that for every 10,000 persons in Nigeria, there are four doctors available to treat or attend to them. That is a ratio of 4:10,000 as against the global standard doctor-patient ratio of 1:600.

Shuaib plans to transform the under-resourced system in Nigeria by leveraging private sector, international agencies and government collaborations. This strategy, which seeks to remodel the PHC system by 2030, would not only reverse the besetting national challenges but also revamp the system for future generations.

With the private sector’s partnership with the government and other development partners to ensure that the funding gap of about N1.4trillion required to standardize PHC Centres is realized, Nigerians will enjoy qualitative, accessible and affordable services.

The private sector already kicked off its initiative to adopt one PHC centre in all 774 Local Government Areas. By 2030, Nigeria will be able to compete globally on standardized PHC Centres.

There is now record of 100% daily vaccinations. According to a January report, the daily vaccine uptake doubled to 200,000 doses in December 2021 and January 2022. This is an indication of NPHCDA’s resolve to curb public health infodemic resulting from Fake News and misinformation narratives.

• Usman Bello Balarabe writes from Kofar Dukawuya, Kano.