The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • HIV: A pestilence and emerging trends

    HIV: A pestilence and emerging trends

    By Dr. Joel Akande

    HIV stands for Human Immune Deficiency virus. No one knows the origin of HIV as it affects human beings. One thing is sure: there are lower animal primate versions of immunodeficiency virus. Now, should an affliction affecting 40million people all over the world and five per cent of 200 million Nigerians be classified as a pandemic? Certainly so.

    From studies in 2003, the prevalence rates of HIV infection in Nigeria was variable, ranging from 1.2 per cent in Osun State to >12 per cent in Cross Rivers State. At the end of 2009, the average prevalence rate of HIV in Nigeria was about 5.6 per cent with 3.3million people living with the virus across Nigeria. Approximately 220,000 people died from AIDS in 2009. There has been little decline in deaths between 2005 and 2013.

    How HIV is transmitted: HIV is transmitted through unprotected heterosexual intercourse. Also, there is by mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy. Unscreened blood transfusion can transmit HIV. The use of resulting in needle stick injuries and sharing of sharp objects as well as during formal and informal surgeries may lead to HIV transmission. Homosexual interactions is an important mode of transmission of HIV.

    Diagnosis: Doctors can use rapid blood test to determine if a person has HIV or not. If HIV is suspected, a more quantitative test is called for to know the actual level of viral load in the person. Blood test is the commonest form of diagnosis in Nigeria. There are other forms of testing such as urine or saliva. The fact that a person is non-reactive at present time is not to say there is no underling HIV. This has led to the recommendation that individuals should be tested  two to six times monthly.

    Presentation: HIV may be present in a person without the person ever knowing it until tested. In fact, I have seen couples who came for consultation on a different matter only for one of them to be tested positive, all to the upmost surprise of the couples. That said, in individuals with symptoms, moderate and unexplained weight loss, recurrent respiratory tract infections (such as sinusitis), skin rashes, herpes zoster infection, yeast infection, ulcers in the mouth are some of the early symptoms.

    In later stages, unexplained chronic diarrhea for longer than one month, unexplained persistent fever, continuing weight loss, tuberculosis are some of the latter presentations. In much later stage of HIV, severe infection, HIV wasting disease, pneumonia and herpes infection may overwhelm the individual. As may have been noticed by the reader, HIV, unlike Ebola, Lassa, and coronavirus does not kill the victim within a month. HIV can linger in the body system without notice for decades except through vigilance or it is detected.

    Treatment: In general, it’s far cheaper and cost effective to prevent all illnesses and indeed any illness than to treat it. HIV is no different. What are the possible measures that are available to treat HIV? In general, treatment is handled and best handled by specialist doctors who are knowledgeable about the disease. Fraudulent claims about herbs and concoctions are best deceptive.

    Prevention:  Know you sex partners. Screen your sex partners before sex. Stick to each other and avoid the risk of contracting infections from unfaithful partners. If unsure, use barriers methods to prevent infections. Also, if you have taken undue risks, go for pre-exposure preventive medicines within 72 hours of such exposure. Doctors will generally screen pregnant women and patients who are to undergo medical procedures.  Never share needles, blades, clips within anyone. Blood meant for transfusion will be and should be thoroughly screened for relevant infections, including HIV.

  • NGO seeks free HPV vaccines for girls

    NGO seeks free HPV vaccines for girls

    Agency Report

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Cancer Aware Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to ensure free provision of Human Papilomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls.

    Its Executive Director, Ms Tolulope Falowo, made the call in Lagos on the International HPV Awareness Day.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that March 4 is a global event to raise awareness on the HPV.

    The HPV Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about the availability of prevention tools and to promote education about HPV.

    It encourages governments and individuals to take action against HPV to save hundreds of thousands of women and men that can benefit from the HPV vaccine and/or screening for the early detection of cancer and treatment.

    Falowo said: “Introducing a free HPV vaccine will afford the young ones who are eligible girls to have access to it.

    “We are calling on the Government of Nigeria to introduce the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation programme, so that eligible girls can have access to it.

    “At least 16 other African countries have introduced HPV vaccine into their routine immunisation programme.

    “Nigeria cannot be an exception, especially because we have a huge burden of cervical cancer,” she said.

    According to her, HPV vaccine is only available at a few private and public health institutions and at an expensive price.

    “It is between N12, 000 and N15, 000 per dose and beneficiaries will need between two and three doses,” Falowo said.

    The NGO chief said the organisation being women’s cancer charity remains at the fore-front of a drive to educate  Nigerians about HPV.

    “We have an ongoing advocacy campaign called the #14000Reasons HPV Vaccination Campaign.

    “Since the charity launched the #14000Reasons HPV Vaccination Campaign in 2019, almost 40,000 Nigerians have signed the online petition.

  • Fed Govt gets 5,000 doses of anti-malaria drugs

    Fed Govt gets 5,000 doses of anti-malaria drugs

    By Vincent Ikhuomola, Abuja

    The Federal Government’s fight against malaria received a boost at the weekend when it received  5,000 doses of anti-malaria regiment – Maldox – from Emzor Pharmaceutical Company.

    The donation is to support the TIOTOP project in Ondo State to bridge the gap of doses of SP stock-out at health facilities.

    Ondo is among the three top states in the country with the highest burden of malaria. The others are Niger and Ebonyi.  The project in Ondo is handled by National Malaria  Elimination Programme (NMEP) and the Reproductive Health Division of Family Health Department, in collaboration with Jhpieg on Transforming Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Optimal Pregnancy (TIPTOP) project.

    Malaria is responsible for about 11 per cent of pregnancy-related maternal deaths yearly in the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 27 per cent of children between six and 59 months tested positive to malaria by microscopy.

    Similarly the World Health Organisation (WHO) study states that 25 per cent of malaria cases in the world occurs in Nigeria while 24 per cent of deaths resulting from malaria also take place in the country.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Emzor, Mrs. Stella Okoli, presented the  drugs to the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorumibe Mamora, in Abuja.

    The Minister commended the company for its gesture and urged other firms to emulate them by joining hands with the government to improve the health of the people.

    He said: “Nigerians have the capacity to do so many things so far the enabling environment is there. We assure that we will do all that is possible to recover lost grounds.”

    Also, the  Permanent Secretary, Abdullahi Marshi, said the anti-malaria drug from Emzor would be taken to Ondo State to help fill the supply gap. He announced a promise of another 3,000 doses from the same company in the next three months to complete the gap as identified by the project in Ondo state.

    “You will agree with me that this is a big boost to our public-private partnership in the fight against malaria. Today, we are witnessing the donation of 5000 doses of SP Maldox tablet from Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited towards the realisation of TIPTOP project in Ondo State. Emzor Pharmaceutical has also gone far with the WHO pre-qualification on the SP product currently on the bioequivalence studies,” Marshi said.

    The CEO of Emzor said there was the need for the government to collaborate more with the private sector in addressing health challenges confronting Nigerians.

    Also Emzor Executive Director Special Duties, Uzoma Ezeoke said the reason for their intervention is not just to save pregnant women, but also their babies. She said Emzor was responding to a call for assistance from the national malaria elimination programme.

  • RCE offers free medical services to 900 Nigerians

    By Adekunle Yusuf

    TO alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians in medical care, the Royalty Club of Egbaland, (RCE) has organised a two-day free medical outreach in Abeokuta, Ogun State to commemorate the 34th Lisabi Festival.

    The participants, who trooped to the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta where the event held, were screened for a myriad health issues, including diabetes, hypertension and eye defects.

    According to Mr. Adebayo Sodade, the president of RCE and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Economic Planning and Budget, 900 people were screened at the outreach, with those who needed medical attention given free drugs and referrals to secondary and tertiary health facilities, to restore their health, while 15 people among those diagnosed of cataract and glaucoma would undergo free surgery sponsored by a  philanthropist.

    “We decided to reach out to the poor and vulnerable in our community by organising free health screening in hypertension, diabetes and visual impairment. High blood pressure and diabetes are silent killers and the topmost non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. It is estimated that 30 percent of Nigeria’s 200 million population have hypertension, while 10 percent are diabetic and if undetected and treated, these will lead to complications such as kidney failure, heart diseases, strokes and, ultimately, untimely death.  Our intervention is to alleviate the fatal risks posed by these silent killers,” Sodade said.

    According to him, this initiative was supported by Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta, Vision Spring, Eleta Eye Institute in Ibadan; Unique Pharmaceuticals Limited; Healthline Limited, Lagos, and Quarry Imperial Hotel, Abeokuta.

    Sodade noted that RCE, formerly known as Ake Royalty Boys, was established 13 years ago to foster social, economic, cultural and sporting developments in the country and promote  squash in Egbaland, in tandem with the interest of Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland.

    To mark the 75th birthday of Oba Gbadebo, RCE, in conjunction with Ogun State Squash Association and the Nigerian Squash Federation, also launched the Youth Squash Academy at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Squash Complex, Abeokuta.

  • Group calls for more investment in women’s health

    Group calls for more investment in women’s health

    By Moses Emorinken, Abuja

    The International Society for Media and Public Health (ISMPH), a non-governmental organisation, has called for increased attention and investment in the health of women.

    Experts say the health index of the country is poor. However, it seems the most affected are women because of their peculiar challenges.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the ISMPH, Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, during a one-day dialogue in commemoration of the International Women’s Month, explained that often times women issues had not been given priority. Therefore, the dialogue with health reporters provides a platform where women’s needs and challenges can be discussed to aid advocacy, she said.

    “Health is a big issue with women because of the peculiarities that we have. Often times, emphasis has been on reproductive health, but that is not all. We have peculiarities in our health that supersedes our men. These days, with non-communicable diseases taking its toll on us as a people, we know that more women are coming down. That woman that is raped has a health need and might end up with STI or pregnant, and traumatised if not well attended to. Many women even end up in psychiatric homes. More women today are getting addicted to drugs and other illicit hard drugs. This brings the question: where do they get rehabilitation?

    “Often times, women that have peculiar diseases like depression don’t get the support that men get. Often times, they are stigmatised and their lives come to an end because of the peculiar health challenges they are going through. Women can’t even afford health when the need arises because most do out-of-pocket. A lot of women are not economically empowered; so we still have poverty having the face of the woman. As long as we have that done, more women will die if nothing is done. We are in the era that women’s health becomes an investment. If 50 percent of the country is not being looked after, then, where are we going to as a country? If we are taking to human capital development and we are not looking at the peculiar health needs of women, then as a nation we are not serious,” Mrs Makanjuola said.

    The Medical Director, El-Rapha Hospitals and Diagnostics, Dr. Moses Fache, spoke on the theme: ‘’Advancing women’s health as investment for development: the role of the media.’’

    He said: “Going by the saying that health they say is wealth, it is understandable therefore that a healthy nation will be able to save a lot of money, which comes in form of investment. Unlike before, we now have women who work to fend for their family alongside taking care of its domestic needs of their home. This has put their health at risk because they are not getting the attention that they need to get.

    “They are confronted with various kinds of diseases. Women’s experience of health and disease differ from those of men due to unique biological, social and behavioural conditions. Although many of the issues around women’s health relate to their reproductive health, including maternal and child health, genital health and breast and endocrine health, including menstruation, birth control and menopause.

    “The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers that an undue emphasis on reproductive health of women is a major barrier to ensuring access to good quality healthcare to all women. Conditions like cardiovascular diseases that affect both men and women, also manifest differently in women. “Women’s health is of particular concern due to widespread discrimination against women in the world leaving them disadvantaged. You find that women will always play the second fiddle. When the man is sick he goes to the hospital without taking permission from anybody, but when the woman is sick, she needs to either wait for the man – father or husband, to be able to go to the hospital,” Fache said.

  • COVID-19: WHO says early containment can help countries stop transmission

    COVID-19: WHO says early containment can help countries stop transmission

    Agency Reporter

    Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the Regional Director, World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region, says early containment measures can help countries to stop transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the region.

    Singh said this in a statement posted on the agency’s website, noting that the top areas of priority fir countries should be; to be ready to roll out speedy response to the first case, first cluster, and first evidences of community transmission.

    She explained that the advice was paramount as India, Indonesia and Thailand confirmed new cases of COVID-19.

    The director said countries in WHO South-East Asia Region should strengthen preparedness for all possible scenarios and ensure early containment measures.

    According to her, five of the 11 countries in the region have confirmed COVID-19 cases – Thailand 43, India 28, Indonesia 2 and Sri Lanka and Nepal one each.

    “The risk of the new coronavirus is very high across the world and in WHO South-East Asia Region. More cases can be expected.

    “Rapidly identifying these cases, isolating them and tracing their contacts are important initiatives to help limit person to person transmission.

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    “The speed of our response is critical, which is only possible if we are prepared,” the Regional Director said.

    Singh said “there are three priorities for a country’s readiness – protecting health workers, engaging with communities and empowering them with timely and accurate information to enable them to take protective measures.”

    The director said it was important to provide people with the three priorities, especially those at highest risk, doing their best to contain epidemics in the most vulnerable countries.

    “The virus can cause mild, flu-like symptoms, as well as more severe disease. Patients have a range of symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

    “Based on current data, globally 81 per cent of cases seem to have mild disease, about 14 per cent appear to progress to severe disease, and some five per cent are critical.

    “People can protect themselves and prevent spread of the virus by practicing hand hygiene, covering their cough and sneeze, maintaining distance from others if they are sick and from those who are sick.”

    According to her, infection prevention and control is of critical importance in health facilities for COVID-19.

    Outlining preparedness and response measures and capacities in the WHO South-East Asia Region, Singh said, WHO was assisting countries in preparedness and response planning, in coordination with other partner organisation; as per updated global guidelines.

    “All member countries have rolled out a series of measures to prevent the disease and protect their nationals.

    “Nine of the 11 countries now have capacities to test for COVID-19; WHO is supporting countries with supplies for laboratories.

    “For countries unable to test, WHO is assisting in shipping of their samples to global referral laboratories, three of them in the Region – two in Thailand and one in India.

    “Nearly 300 000 pieces of personal protective equipment comprising of caps, goggles, surgical masks, gloves gowns etc, have been supplied to member countries, and nearly 200 000 more pieces are being procured.’’

    WHO is conducting web trainings for countries in critical areas of preparedness and response such as surveillance, testing in laboratories, clinical management of cases, infection prevention and control, communicating the disease to the community etc.

    Globally, WHO is constantly analysing data, as more information comes in, and working closely with global experts to better understand transmission, risk factors, and source of the infection.

    Singh, however, listed 10 things to prevent COVID-19:

    • Clean your hands regularly – wash with soap and water, or clean with alcohol-based hand rub
    • Clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant – for example kitchen benches and work desks.
    • Educate yourself about COVID-19. Make sure your information comes from reliable sources.
    • Avoid traveling if you have a fever or cough, and if you become sick while on a flight, inform the crew immediately.
    • Once you get to your destination, make contact with a health professional and tell them about where you have been.
    • Cough or sneeze into your sleeve. If using a tissue, dispose of the tissue immediately into a closed rubbish bin, and then clean your hand.
    • Take extra precautions to avoid crowded areas if you are over 60 years old, or if you have an underlying condition.
    • If you feel unwell, stay at home and call your doctor or local health professional.
    • If you are sick, stay at home, and eat and sleep separately from your family, use different utensils and cutlery to eat; If you develop shortness of breath, call your doctor and seek care immediately.
    • It is normal and understandable to feel anxious, especially if you live in a country that has been affected. Find out what you can do in your community. Discuss how to stay safe in your workplace, school or place of worship.

    (NAN)

  • COVID-19: Doctors’ association decry poor welfare for health workers

    COVID-19: Doctors’ association decry poor welfare for health workers

    By Moses Emorinken, Abuja

     

    The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), have decried the poor state of welfare for healthcare workers in the face of threatening hazardous and fatal diseases outbreaks such as Lassa fever and the coronavirus (now officially named COVID-19) in the country.

    Doctors, nurses and other frontline healthcare workers, though sacrificing their health and time to treat and protect Nigerians, are more often than not, dangerously ill-equipped and economically dampened by government’s lack of will to prioritize their well-being.

    The President of NARD, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, who disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, explained that the government has failed to implement the Group life assurance policy; a contract of insurance designed to provide for the payment of capital sum to the dependents of an employee who dies while in service.

    According to him, “With the recent outbreaks in the country one would have thought that protecting the healthcare workers’ welfare and most importantly their well-being would be given the utmost attention to enable them carry out their job diligently, but this unfortunately is not the case.

    “Even as Government makes provision for the Group life assurance policy a contract of insurance designed to provide for the payment of capital sum to the dependents of an employee who dies while in service, it has failed to implement it.

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    “This policy is supposed to be compulsory by virtue of the pension reform act 2014. Specifically section 4 sub-section 5 of the act requires employers to maintain life insurance policy or death-in service benefit scheme in favour of their employees.

    “Six years after the enactment of the act, NARD has over these years, made concerted effort with the relevant agencies of government to ensure the lives of health care workers are properly insured – to no avail”.

    He further added: “Following the review of the hazard allowance in 2009, the allowance has remained a paltry sum of N60,000 per annum, which translates to N5,000 naira per month paid across board for all health workers.

    “This allowance of N5,000, cannot afford a full course of ribavirin prophylaxis should any health care worker get exposed. And that is what we get today as hazard allowance. Even though no amount of allowance can ever suffice for the sacrifice of health and time, a modest proportion of basic salary as proposed over 5 years ago, is required to at least offer some degree of social protection from the job hazard.

    “Recently, the National University Commission forwarded a circular to Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities and the Registrar of the NPMCN on Postgraduate medical training, stating the requirement of a PhD as a prerequisite for career progression of Doctors teaching medical students. This requirement of a PhD is alien and antithetical to medical education and practice world over.

    “We therefore join the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria in calling the NUC and the employers to call NUC to order and withdraw the circular.

    “We also wish to caution the NUC on its planned distortion of the residency training programme to be wary of the consequences as it relates to the residency training act, the funding of residency and the duration of the programme”.

  • Saudi Arabia announces first new coronavirus infection in kingdom

    Saudi Arabia announces first new coronavirus infection in kingdom

    Saudi Arabia has recorded its first infection with the new coronavirus.

    The patient is a Saudi national who arrived from Iran through Bahrain, the Saudi Health Ministry said on Monday.

    The patient is currently quarantined at hospital, it said, adding that samples were taken from all those who were in contact with the patient, for tests.

    Although the novel coronavirus has spread to 62 countries, the vast majority of the cases have appeared in five countries, UN Health Chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said.

    Ghebreyesus argued that it was still possible to avert a global spread.

    READ ALSO: Coronavirus: UNILAG ready for convocation

    Of the more than 88,900 global cases of COVID-19 cases, 90 per cent were reported from China, most of them from the outbreak epicentre in Hubei province.

    Outside of China, more 8,700 cases have been reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, with four countries accounting for 81 per cent of this figure, WHO chief said.

    He added that South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan are causing the biggest concerns.

    “This is not a one-way street. We can push this virus back,” he says, arguing that all countries can contain the virus if they take decisive action.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • All 43 suspects of coronavirus in Plateau are negative – Commissioner

    All 43 suspects of coronavirus in Plateau are negative – Commissioner

    By Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

    Plateau state commissioner for health, Dr. Nimkong Larndam has said there is no confirmed case of coronavirus in Plateau state.

    The commissioner however said there 43 persons had to be isolated for 14 days so as not to take chances.

    Larndam gave the confirmation in a press conference held in his office to disabused the minds of Nigerians and citizens of the state over allegations that the virus has been ditected in Plateau state.

    According to Larndam, “We have four Chinese miners who just returned from holidays in China, since they came from another country that is heavily infected with the virus, they could be suspected to have the virus. But the Chinese were screened in Addis Ababa, Euthiopea, they were also screened in Abuja airport, and in those screenings they were proved negative.

    “Even though the suspects were not positive, such people are supposed to be isolated for 14 days. So we have isolated them between now and 11th of March

    “It is not only the four Chinese be that we had to isolate, all the people that had contacts with the Chinese on their return to Wase has to be fished and isolated too.

    Larndam who was accompanied on the press conference by the state commissioner for Information and Communication Mr Dan Manjang said, “So, the fact that we have to isolate these suspects is not a confirmation by that the virus has been ditected in the state, we are only been very cuatious” he said.

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    “As we monitor those 43 we have isolated, at the end of the 14 days, if the suspect did not show any symptom of coronavirus, we will allow them to enjoy their normal life”

    The commissioner assured people of the state and other Nigerians who has anything to do with the state to feel free and go about their normal businesses. There is no any single case of coronavirus in Plateau state.

    He also said the state government has put measures in place to handle any case of coronavirus, we have isolation wards in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and also in Plateau Specialist hospital. We have a surveillance medical team stationed at the Yakubu Gowon Airport to screen and monitor movement of air passengers, and government has set aside funds to handle any emergency.

    “But so far, there no reason to panic, the situation in Plateau is under control” he said.

  • CONVID-19 sensitization: Sen Al-Makura distributes over 100 generators to monarchs

    CONVID-19 sensitization: Sen Al-Makura distributes over 100 generators to monarchs

    By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

    Former Nasarawa state governor, Sen Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has donated 120 generators to traditional rulers to assist them in sensitizing  their subjects on the deadly Coronavirus and Lassa fever.

    Al-Makura, who made the donation at his constituency office in Lafia on Sunday, said the role of the traditional  institution in containing the endemic is critical.

    Read Also: Enugu doctors embark on strike despite coronavirus panic

    He said second and third class traditional rulers were targeted given that most of them live in remote areas yet to enjoy public power supply.

    Sen Al-Makura, representing Nasarawa South in the Senate also revealed that he has concluded for empowering over two thousand women and youths drawn from the five local government areas in his constituency.

    Similarly, the former governor said he has donated special learning aids to the Nasarawa state Special School for people living with disability worth four million Naira.