The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Five foods men over 50 must avoid to prevent Prostate Cancer

    Five foods men over 50 must avoid to prevent Prostate Cancer

    After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting men. It is a potentially aggressive and life-threatening disease that begins when cancerous cells form in the prostate—a small gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder.

    Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older men, with risk increasing significantly after the age of 50.

    While factors such as age, genetics, and lifestyle contribute to its development, diet also plays a crucial role in maintaining prostate health. Certain foods have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

    Here are 5 foods men over 50 should avoid to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

    1. Red and Processed Meats

    Red meats like beef, pork, and lamb—along with processed options such as sausages, hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats—have been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer. When cooked at high temperatures, these meats produce harmful compounds known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which can damage cells and potentially lead to cancer. If you choose to eat red meat, limit it to once or twice a month and avoid deep frying or high-heat cooking methods.

    2. High-Fat Dairy Product

    Whole milk, full-fat cheese, butter, cream, and similar dairy items are high in saturated fats and hormones, both of which have been associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Switching to low-fat or fat-free dairy can help reduce this risk. Non-dairy alternatives such as almond, soy, oat, or flax milk offer healthier options.

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    3. Saturated and Trans Fats

    Foods high in saturated and trans fats—like processed meats, packaged snacks, fried foods, and baked goods—can promote inflammation and may fuel cancer cell growth. Replace these unhealthy fats with nutritious options such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and omega-3-rich fish like salmon. You can also use small amounts of homemade ghee for cooking, but moderation is key. Avoid junk and processed foods, keeping them as rare treats.

    4. Sugar

    Sugar offers no nutritional value and contributes to obesity, a known risk factor for prostate cancer. Sugary drinks, candies, pastries, and sweets can cause blood sugar spikes, weight gain, and hormonal imbalances that may support cancer growth. Minimise your intake of added sugars, opt for whole fruits over juices, and focus on fibre-rich whole grains to stabilise blood sugar levels.

    5. Alcohol

    Excessive alcohol consumption weakens the immune system and increases the risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer. It can also disrupt hormone balance and promote inflammation. While doctors suggest no level of alcohol is truly safe, moderation is critical. If you choose to drink, stay within recommended limits—and consider reducing or eliminating alcohol altogether for better prostate health.

  • Diphtheria outbreak prompts school closures in Imo communities

    Diphtheria outbreak prompts school closures in Imo communities

    In response to a reported outbreak of diphtheria in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, the Imo State Government has taken swift action to contain the spread of the disease.

    The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has directed the closure of all schools in and around Mbutu Communities until further notice.

    The Commissioner, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. BTO Ikegwuoha who issued the directive, said it comes as a precautionary measure to prioritize the health and well-being of students.

    He urged  parents and guardians to take immediate action to ensure their children’s safety. 

    “To prevent the spread of diphtheria, parents are advised to ensure their children receive regular vaccinations, including the diphtheria vaccine, practice good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing and avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.”

    According to him, the government has identified symptoms to watch out for, including sore throat, fever, swollen glands, membrane covering the tonsils, and difficulty breathing. 

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    He informed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Aboh Mbaise Department of Health to prevent the spread of diphtheria.

    “Stakeholders, including teachers, pupils, students, parents, guardians, and community leaders, have been directed to collaborate with healthcare professionals in their communities and Local Government Areas.

    “Parents are advised to monitor their child’s health closely and seek medical attention immediately if they notice any unusual symptoms.

    “The government will provide further guidance and updates as necessary. For now, the focus remains on containing the outbreak and ensuring the health and safety of all students,” he said.

  • Tijesunimi Oyetunde: Merging data, empathy, and global vision in the fight against cancer

    Tijesunimi Oyetunde: Merging data, empathy, and global vision in the fight against cancer

    At the intersection of cancer research, public health sociology, and trauma-informed care, stands Tijesunimi Oyetunde, a Nigerian-born scientist whose rare combination of social science and biomedical research is helping to redefine cancer care for underserved populations across continents.

    Trained in Sociology at the University of Lagos and Rural Development in Canada, Tijesunimi’s academic foundation is as diverse as the communities she serves. Her early research on the health implications of skin bleaching in Nigerian undergraduates demonstrated a deep understanding of how cultural norms, identity, and media influence health behavior. It also positioned her as an emerging voice in the effort to bridge dermatological and psychosocial care, especially for disadvantaged communities.

    Today, Tijesunimi is making waves in cancer bioinformatics and melanoma immunogenomics, where she has emerged as a rising expert in precision oncology. Working alongside researchers at the University of Kentucky’s Markey Comprehensive Cancer Center, she has helped uncover novel insights into ferroptosis sensitivity and immune exhaustion in cancer models.

    In a recently submitted collaborative study, she analyzed PGK1, a metabolic gene implicated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and HER2-enriched subtypes. By applying advanced Kaplan–Meier survival modeling and stratification across datasets like TCGA and METABRIC, her analysis offered critical evidence that could guide personalized treatment strategies, especially in populations historically underrepresented in cancer genomics. Her work is also shaping how researchers approach therapeutic targeting in aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers.

    In parallel, Tijesunimi contributed to an NIH-funded melanoma immunogenomics project, where she explored the role of EEF2K in tumor dormancy and immune checkpoint exhaustion. By correlating gene expression patterns with immune activation and exhaustion markers (PD1, CTLA4, TIM3), she helped map novel immunotherapy targets in melanoma. Her GO/KEGG enrichment analyses further validated pathways involved in tumor quiescence, positioning her contributions as foundational to future therapy designs.

    Beyond the lab, Tijesunimi’s impact is equally felt in the community. As a health support worker and trauma-informed care practitioner in Canada, she has provided behavioral and emotional support to individuals with complex needs, including developmental disabilities and histories of trauma. Her experience in direct care paired with bioinformatic fluency gives her a rare dual lens: one that sees both molecular patterns and human stories.

    What sets Tijesunimi apart is her belief that science must serve equity. Her advocacy spans both continents. In Nigeria, she led health education initiatives for hundreds of students through the National Youth Service Corps, championing community sanitation and preventive health. In Canada, she supports multidisciplinary teams in behavioral health, integrating social determinants of health into client care plans.

    Her skills span transcriptomic analysis, survival modeling, data visualization, and statistical programming in R, Python, and SQL. She complements this with certifications in clinical informatics, suicide intervention, and genomic data science, ensuring that her technical depth is matched by human-centered professionalism.

    Tijesunimi envisions a future where cancer diagnostics are culturally sensitive, mental health systems are sociologically grounded, and all populations are fully represented in genomic research. She hopes to champion bioinformatics education in underserved regions, support inclusive research design, and mentor the next generation of scientist-advocates.

    Her career is a clear example of what interdisciplinary African science can achieve when given space to grow. Whether influencing genomic research in North America or shaping public health strategies in Nigeria, Tijesunimi Oyetunde represents the kind of global health leadership the world needs now, empathetic, data-driven, and rooted in purpose.

    But to fully harness talents like hers, Nigeria must act decisively. Investment in local genomic infrastructure, research fellowships, and bioinformatics training is essential, not only to advance health outcomes, but to prevent the continued loss of Nigeria’s brightest minds to the diaspora.

    With a voice that bridges continents and a vision that centers humanity, Tijesunimi Oyetunde is not just contributing to science, she is helping to redefine its purpose.

  • World Vape Day 2025: Why Nigeria should embrace tobacco harm reduction

    World Vape Day 2025: Why Nigeria should embrace tobacco harm reduction

    By Yusuff Adebisi Adebayo

    World Vape Day, celebrated every year on 30 May, is an initiative uniting vapers, harm reduction advocates, scientists, and public health experts to highlight vaping and other safer nicotine products compared to combustible cigarettes. The day showcases how innovation and choice empower smokers to quit for good, celebrates personal stories of transformation, and advocates that policymakers listen to science, and the science-backed evidence provided. Since its inception, World Vape Day has become a rallying point for those who believe that tobacco harm reduction (“THR”) should be at the heart of public health policy.

    Tobacco harm reduction is not about promoting nicotine use but about offering smokers less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarettes. Vaping, for instance, delivers nicotine through aerosols rather than smoke, eliminating the tar and toxic chemicals produced by burning tobacco. Scientific evidence underlines that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking. Studies, including those from Public Health England, estimate that e-cigarettes are at least 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes, with no evidence of significant short- or medium-term respiratory harm.

    Countries like Sweden and the United Kingdom provide compelling evidence of THR’s impact. Sweden is on the verge of becoming the world’s first smoke-free country, with smoking rates below 5%, largely due to widespread use of safer nicotine products like snus and vapes. In the UK, progressive vaping policies have driven smoking rates to historic lows, with only 11.9% of adults smoking in 2023. These nations demonstrate that embracing innovation and consumer choice accelerates declines in smoking rates, a lesson Africa cannot afford to ignore.

    Traditional tobacco control measures—taxation, advertising bans, and cessation programs—are critical but insufficient. Quitting rates remain low, with most smokers not considering quitting. Abstinence-only policies, often championed by global health bodies, fail to address the reality that many smokers struggle to quit cold turkey. THR offers a pragmatic solution: it meets smokers where they are, providing alternatives that reduce harm while preserving individual autonomy.

    Vaping’s success as a quitting tool is rooted in its ability to replicate the behavioural and sensory aspects of smoking without the deadly consequences. The World Vape Day 2025 Manifesto notes that 93% of vapers are former smokers, proving that vaping is a cessation aid, not a gateway to smoking. In the US, smoking rates dropped to 11% in 2023, accelerated by vaping’s popularity. In New Zealand, harm reduction policies have slashed smoking rates, particularly among Māori populations, showing that THR can address disparities in vulnerable communities.

    Critics of vaping often cite myths, such as the notion that it serves as a gateway to smoking for youth. However, data from global studies debunk this: vaping is overwhelmingly used by smokers or former smokers, not non-smokers. Regulatory frameworks, like those in the EU, can ensure age restrictions and marketing controls prevent youth access without banning products for adult smokers.

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    Studies, including those from the Royal College of Physicians, show no significant health impacts from vaping over decades, unlike smoking’s well-documented devastation. Nigeria and African nations are encouraged to prioritise evidence over fear, recognising that banning or overly restricting vaping could push smokers back to cigarettes, as seen in Australia, where strict policies have slowed smoking declines.

    To harness THR’s potential, African governments should adopt evidence-based policies:

    Strengthen Vaping Regulations: Nigeria should move beyond regulatory ambiguity by establishing clear national guidelines for vaping products, including safety standards, age restrictions, and quality control measures.

    Promote Public Health Campaigns: Educate smokers about THR through campaigns highlighting vaping’s benefits as an alternative to combustible cigarettes, as seen in the UK’s “Stoptober” initiative. Community-based programs can reach rural areas where smoking rates are high.

    Learn from global successes: Engage with experts from Sweden, the UK, and New Zealand to design policies tailored to African contexts. Regional bodies like the African Union can coordinate THR strategies to counter tobacco industry influence.

    Beyond statistics, THR is about people. In Nigeria, a smoker who is, a 35-year-old father in Lagos, faces daily health risks from cigarettes. Vaping could offer him a way to quit, preserving his health and his family’s future. Across Africa, millions of smokers deserve options, not judgment. World Vape Day 2025 celebrates these stories of transformation, reminding us that innovation and compassion can change lives.

    As we celebrate this year’s World Vape Day, Nigeria and other African nations stand at a crossroads. By embracing vaping and other safer nicotine alternatives, African governments can reduce smoking rates and empower citizens to live healthier lives. The evidence is clear, the successes are undeniable, and the time to act is now. Let’s make harm reduction the future of tobacco control in Nigeria.

     To be updated

    Based on the weight of evidence and assuming a complete switch from cigarette smoking. These products are not risk free and are addictive.

  • i-Fitness expands services

    i-Fitness expands services

    In its determination to bring affordable health and fitness services to all, i-Fitness, a health fitness outlet, has announced the opened a new branch in the bustling Orchid community of Ikate, Lekki.

    The Founder and CEO of i-Fitness, Foluso Ogunwale, at the inauguration of the outlet, expressed the company’s commitment to encouraging a healthier lifestyle for Nigerians through fitness. “True fitness is grounded in community. We are happy to welcome Orchid residents to our fitness community to live healthier and happier through fitness,” he said.

    According to him, as i-Fitness heralds its 10th year of operations, the company continues to promote the fitness culture by providing a platform that encourages healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.

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    Ogunwale hinted that there was more to come from the company. “i-Fitness is not just a community. It is a movement,” he said. With branches in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan, i-Fitness continues to lead the charge in transforming lives, encouraging and inspiring a healthier lifestyle through regular fitness. The company is shaping the future of fitness.

    Strategically situated near Prime Mall on Orchid Road, the new i-Fitness Orchid Branch is fully equipped and thoughtfully designed to serve the vibrant community; members have access to internationally certified personal trainers and over 40 fitness classes weekly.

    i-Fitness has 26 branches nationwide and offers its members multi-location access across all branches, where they can exercise at their convenience.

  • Experts chart better ways to advance gynaecological cancer care

    Experts chart better ways to advance gynaecological cancer care

    In the bustling heart of Lagos last week, more than fifty of Nigeria’s leading cancer specialists converged for the third annual Brachytherapy Summit at the MEDSERVE‑LUTH Cancer Centre. Against the summit’s theme, “Advancing Gynaecological Brachytherapy in Nigeria: Bridging Gaps through Innovation, Collaboration and Skill Enhancement”, experts devoted two days to reshaping the landscape of women’s cancer care. Their mission was clear: to ensure that every Nigerian woman facing a gynaecological malignancy can access the most precise, compassionate, and comprehensive treatment available.

    Kicking off the summit, participants immersed themselves in a hands‑on workshop on three‑dimensional (3D) brachytherapy planning. Under the guidance of experienced medical physicists, radiation oncologists and therapy radiographers practised contouring tumour targets and critical organs on state‑of‑the‑art treatment‑planning software. 

    When it came time to place applicators into anatomical models, the room fell quiet, broken only by the soft hum of imaging machines. By day’s end, every attendee had not only refined their technical prowess but also pledged to return home ready to train two colleagues—spreading the hard‑won skills to far‑flung clinics, and multiplying the impact of this single summit.

    Yet technology alone cannot transform care. Thus, the following morning’s plenary moved beyond machines to flesh‑and‑blood stories in a multidisciplinary tumour‑board simulation. Gynaecological surgeons, radiotherapists, oncology nurses and palliative‑care specialists debated real patient cases, weaving together surgical plans, radiation schedules, and symptom‑management protocols. This exercise did more than shorten referral times; it forged a shared language and trust between specialties that, until now, too often stood in isolation. The summit’s architects believe this newfound unity will translate directly into shorter treatment delays and more cohesive patient journeys.

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    Perhaps most ground-breaking was the summit’s focus on life after therapy. Under the banner “Enhancing Survivorship Care: Integrating Psycho‑Sexual Therapy,” psychiatrists, social workers and sexual‑health counsellors took the stage. They described grief‑work techniques for women struggling with post‑treatment body‑image changes and offered communication tools to restore intimacy for couples shaken by cancer. Case‑presentation videos captured survivors’ voices—some raw with anger, others buoyant with resilience—and reminded every clinician in the room that success is measured not only in remission rates but in quality of life.

    At mid-day, delegates toured the newly upgraded MLCC radiation suite, pausing to marvel at a locally maintained HDR brachytherapy unit secured through a partnership with TANIT Medical Engineering. Clinical engineers explained how ring‑and‑tandem applicators, once prohibitively costly, are now leased at subsidised rates, ensuring no centre need close for lack of maintenance support. Here, discussions pivoted to policy: when centres across Nigeria can count on reliable service contracts, machine downtime—previously a daily obstacle—becomes an occasional footnote.

    By the summit’s close, a small committee of thought‑leaders had drafted recommendations for Nigeria. They envisioned a network of regional “Brachytherapy Centres of Excellence,” each offering 3D treatment, survivorship programmes, and data‑driven quality benchmarks. Equally crucial was a call for public‑insurance reforms that would cover brachytherapy costs, lifting the financial burden on women who currently forgo optimal therapy.

    Reflecting on the weekend’s efforts, Dr. Bolanle Adegboyega, head of Brachytherapy Unit at MEDSERVE‑LUTH Cancer Centre, spoke with resolute optimism: “The 3rd Brachytherapy Summit represents a critical moment in our collective effort to transform cancer care in Nigeria and across other low- and middle-income countries. As someone who has been deeply involved in brachytherapy practice and advocacy, I’ve seen first-hand how access, awareness, and training gaps continue to limit the reach and impact of this essential treatment.

    “This year’s summit, with its focus on overcoming barriers to access, is not just a professional convening—it is a movement to close the inequity gap in gynaecological cancer care. We are here to advance real solutions, strengthen local expertise, and champion the policies that will ensure that brachytherapy is no longer a privilege, but a right for every woman who needs it.”

  • Duchess Hospital saves 5‑year‑old in ground-breaking open‑heart surgery

    Duchess Hospital saves 5‑year‑old in ground-breaking open‑heart surgery

    The Duchess International Hospital has achieved a remarkable medical milestone by performing complex open‑heart surgery on “Master D,” a five‑year‑old boy born with Tetralogy of Fallot—a serious congenital defect that disrupts normal blood flow to the lungs. Over three days, from May 19 to 21, 2025, a multidisciplinary team led by Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Mudasiru Salami worked in stages for a combined 14 hours to correct the defect. Under the vigilant care of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Master D has made a striking recovery and has now been moved to the paediatric ward for routine monitoring.

    Chief Executive Officer Dr. Adetokunbo Shitta‑Bey explained that, in a healthy heart, deoxygenated blood travels from the right chambers to the lungs to be re‑oxygenated. In Tetralogy of Fallot, however, the defect forces oxygen‑poor blood past the lungs, causing chronic fatigue, cyanosis, and recurrent chest infections. This successful surgery not only restored proper circulation for Master D but also underscores Duchess International Hospital’s commitment to pioneering life‑saving cardiac care.

    Master D’s Tetralogy of Fallot comprised four interrelated cardiac malformations: a ventricular septal defect (a hole between the heart’s lower chambers), pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the valve leading to the lungs), right ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the right lower chamber from prolonged pressure overload), and an overriding aorta (misalignment allowing oxygen‑poor blood to bypass the lungs). In many advanced healthcare settings, infants born with this complex condition undergo corrective surgery within the first nine months of life to forestall long‑term complications, experts said. Master D, however, did not present until he reached five years of age.

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    Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Mudasiru Salami described the critical first step of the operation: arresting the heart under cardiopulmonary bypass for five and a half hours—a period fraught with risk. “The first miracle,” he reflected, “was that the heart resumed beating immediately upon reperfusion.” Dr. Salami credited the seamless collaboration of surgeons, perfusionists, anaesthetists, intensivists and nurses, as well as the hospital’s state‑of‑the‑art facilities, for this life‑saving outcome. He also paid tribute to the selfless generosity of Duchess Hospital staff who donated fresh blood when it was most urgently needed. This confluence of skill, technology and compassion exemplifies the multidisciplinary dedication required to conquer congenital heart disease—and to rewrite the future for children like Master D.

    Mrs. Olutope Adetona, mother of the miraculous patient, expressed profound gratitude to Duchess International Hospital for saving her youngest son’s life. She confessed that, after watching countless YouTube testimonials from families whose children had undergone similar open‑heart surgeries at Duchess, she felt reassured that her own son was in capable hands. “I begged every parent not to conceal any health challenges,” she urged, her voice steady but emotional. “Speak up early so help can arrive in time.”

    Remarkably, the life‑saving expertise that revived Master D comes from a facility barely four years old. Since opening its doors on October 22, 2021, Duchess International Hospital has transformed Nigeria’s medical landscape—marrying cutting‑edge technology with an unwavering commitment to accessible, high‑quality care. Its multidisciplinary teams of surgeons, intensivists, perfusionists, nurses, and allied professionals have worked tirelessly to stem the tide of medical tourism, fostering renewed confidence in home‑grown healthcare.

    Their success has not gone unnoticed. Today, an increasing number of Nigerians living abroad are returning to Lagos, drawn by Duchess’s reputation for excellence and compassionate service. In a region where families once felt compelled to seek treatment overseas, Duchess stands as a beacon—its neonatal units, cardiac suites and advanced diagnostic centres all testament to what’s possible when vision, investment and expertise converge.

  • NNMDA leverages local innovation to curb drug imports

    NNMDA leverages local innovation to curb drug imports

    The Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) is intensifying efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imported drugs by promoting home-grown innovations in traditional medicine—an initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. At a press briefing held Tuesday in Lagos, the Director-General of NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, said the agency is leveraging scientific research, indigenous knowledge, and strategic partnerships to drive local production of safe, effective, and culturally relevant natural medicines. This, he noted, is a key strategy for boosting national health sovereignty, creating jobs, and saving foreign exchange.

    “Our focus is not only on health outcomes but also on economic empowerment,” Emeje said. “By reducing drug import dependency, we can localise pharmaceutical production, create millions of jobs, and preserve our foreign reserves. This is achievable through support for traditional medicine and the commercialisation of our innovations.”

    According to him, the agency’s work in the past two years has produced a significant leap in Nigeria’s traditional medicine sector. From launching four herbal products in 2024 for sickle cell disease, diabetes, immune support, and anti-aging, the agency expanded its portfolio to 23 products in 2025. These include new formulations for hepatitis B, diarrhoea, and ulcers. One of the standout breakthroughs, a nanotechnology-based anti-diarrhoea product, recently won first prize at a national scientific competition and has been earmarked for federal funding in the 2025 budget.

    Despite these successes, Emeje clarified that NNMDA’s mandate ends at research and development. “We do not commercialise. That is the role of the pharmaceutical industry. Our duty is to innovate. We now call on the private sector to partner with us in bringing these products to market,” he said. He cited his earlier success in bringing Nigeria’s first government-developed, publicly used health product to market as a template for future partnerships, noting that talks are underway with pharmaceutical stakeholders.

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    In his keynote, malaria researcher Dr. Hassan Lawal warned of growing resistance to conventional anti-malarial drugs and applauded the agency’s innovative response. He outlined NNMDA’s multi-faceted malaria initiative, including a plant-based larvicide to interrupt mosquito breeding, an eco-friendly insecticide spray, and a topical cream for skin protection. A new herbal tea that relieves malaria symptoms within 48 hours has also been developed. “These are not just products,” Dr. Lawal said. “They are part of a national strategy to provide accessible, safe, and effective alternatives rooted in our cultural heritage.”

    As part of its broader plan, NNMDA is seeking to establish traditional medicine centres in all 774 local government areas in the country. This would bring healthcare closer to rural populations, reduce reliance on imported drugs, and integrate traditional healers into formal health systems through a standardized database and training programs. Several dignitaries and agency partners present at the event praised NNMDA’s work. Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr. Bose Salami, representing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, commended the agency for “building a healthier and more self-reliant nation.” Similarly, Col. Samson Idowu, who represented the Commander of the 81 Division Medical Services & Hospital, praised the DG’s visionary leadership and pledged military support for natural medicine integration.

    S.I. Bikini-Rossi, representing the Nigeria Immigration Service, noted the potential for traditional medicine to address broader health challenges.

    “This is about national health resilience. Malaria, maternal health, HIV—these are areas that need context-sensitive, culturally relevant solutions. What NNMDA is doing is foundational to that vision,” he said.

    Beyond the health and economic angles, Prof. Emeje also criticised Nigeria’s overreliance on colonial models in medicine and education. He called for a full embrace of indigenous knowledge systems, including developing training programs in local languages and digitizing traditional health records. “Until we decolonize our minds, we will remain dependent,” he said. “We’re not just making medicine; we’re restoring dignity to our people and charting a new path to self-reliance.”

  • Quick tips to get rid, prevent bedbugs in homes, beds, others

    Quick tips to get rid, prevent bedbugs in homes, beds, others

    A bedbug infection or infestation can be difficult to treat on one’s own and can take weeks to months.

    Bed bugs are one of the great travellers of the world and are readily transported via luggage, clothing, bedding and furniture. In many cases, people carry bed bugs from place to place, often without realizing.

    A person may notice itchy welts on their skin if they sleep in a bed with bedbugs. Bedbugs are small, but a person may notice them if they inspect the folds of mattresses and bedding.

    Bedbugs do not usually hide on the human body. Instead, they tend to hide in the piping or folds of mattresses, in the creases of bedding, and in the cracks of the bed. They will usually only be on the body when feeding.

    To get rid of bed bugs, act at the first signs of infestation and use an integrated pest management approach involving prevention and sanitation.

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    Bedbugs are often tough to get rid of, so one may need a few different approaches. Once you identify and contain all infested areas, you can combine chemical and non-chemical treatments to kill the bugs.

    Here are ways to eliminate bedbugs:

    *Seal any small hiding areas. This eliminates hiding places and gets the bugs out into the open.

    *Remove infested items. Place them in a sealed plastic bag and treat them.

    *Items that cannot be treated should be placed in a sealed plastic bag or storage container and left there for a long time to ensure any active bugs are dead.

    *Purchase protective covers that seal mattresses and box springs. With covers that seal, the bed bugs will get trapped inside and die.

    *Vacuum after each use. Seal the bag as tightly as possible and immediately throw it out in an outdoor trash container.

    *Discard furniture responsibly if you can’t safely eliminate the bed bugs. Destroy it so someone else won’t be tempted to bring it into their home.

    *Consider non-chemical methods of killing bed bugs. Some will be more useful than others depending on your situation. These and other methods can be helpful, but they might not get rid of the infestation entirely:

    *Heat treatment: You can use a clothes dryer on high heat. You can also use black plastic bags in a hot, closed car in the sun, but success depends on your climate and other factors. Do-it-yourself heat treatments might not work. Professionals have access to more intensive and proven methods that can even treat whole houses with heat. Do not try to kill bed bugs by increasing your indoor temperature with a thermostat, propane space heater, or fireplace – this does not work and is dangerous.

    *Cold treatment may work, but can only be successful in the home environment if the freezer is set to 0o F.  Many home refrigerator freezers are not cold enough  to kill bed bugs. You must leave the items in a sealed bag in the freezer at 0o for three days. Always use a thermometer to check the temperature, since home freezers are not always set to 0o.

    Meanwhile, some chemicals or strong insecticides are good options to eliminate bedbugs. However, these can be hazardous if a person uses them indoors.

    Mint leaves

    Mint leaves are natural repellents to insects and most insects hate the smell of this plant and bed bugs are no exception. You can use mint leaves to prevent bed bugs from entering your homes.

    All you need to do is crush some mint leaves into smaller pieces and sprinkle around the sleeping area or inside the cradleboard of small children. You can also put dried mint leaves packet between your linen closets and mattress. The mint leaf will dry up the bed bugs in no time. Repeat this exercise every 3-5 days for best results.

    Baking soda

    Baking soda also is a wonderful response to the issue of how to get rid of bed bugs. Baking soda works very effectively in killing the bedbugs even before you know it. 

    It sucks the moisture present on these tiny parasites and this eventually causes their death. You will need half bowl of baking soda and a vacuum.

    Put the soda at all the places affected with the bugs and vacuum all the soda after three days. Repeat the process and your home will be free of bed bugs in no time.

    You should see your doctor if you have:

    Many bites

    Blisters

    Skin infection (bites feel tender or ooze discharge, such as pus)

    An allergic skin reaction (skin red and swollen or hives)

  • Kwara launches ‘Eat a Rainbow’ campaign to boost household nutrition

    Kwara launches ‘Eat a Rainbow’ campaign to boost household nutrition

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has launched a statewide nutrition campaign, codenamed “Eat A Rainbow”, as part of its activities marking the 2025 World Nutrition Day.

    Designed by the Kwara Ministry of Health led by the Commissioner Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, the Eat A Rainbow campaign is an innovative crusade of the administration to improve intakes of balanced diets across families.

    The Governor called it a people-centered effort that reflects his administration’s commitment to improve the well-being of the people and build on its successes in the subsector. 

    “This campaign is more than just about fruits and vegetables. It is a call to action — a reminder that the choices we make today directly shape the future of our children, families, and communities,” the Governor said.

    He was represented by the Commissioner for Finance Dr Hauwa Nuru.

    “Daily consumption of diverse, colourful fruits and vegetables amounts to taking a strong stand against malnutrition, chronic diseases, and preventable illnesses,” he added.

    AbdulRazaq said the “Eat a Rainbow” campaign is rooted in science and compassion that recognises that sustainable health lies in prevention, education, and empowerment. 

    Kwara First Lady Amb. Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq was represented by Commissioner for Special Duties Hon. John Bello. 

    The First Lady commended the government for promoting healthy citizenry through various initiatives and right investments in the UNICEF Child Malnutrition Fund, among other nutrition supporting platforms.

    She encouraged Kwarans to cultivate a habit of eating balanced diets to live a healthy life.

     El-Imam, said the Eat a Rainbow campaign would reposition the nutrition of the people for good.

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    She said the state is committed to further reducing the percentage of children mapped for malnutrition, adding, however, that the efforts of the administration explain the downward slope of the malnutrition curve in Kwara State.

    Between 2013 and 2019, UNICEF exited Kwara for lack of continuity in the payment of counterpart funds, El-Imam said, adding that this triggered malnutrition crisis in the state. 

    “It is verifiable in public records that our malnutrition indices started faltering cumulatively since this period. Specifically, the proportion of children suffering from wasting or who have low weights for their heights rose from 6.5% in 2013 to 7.3% in 2018. These were lost years in the nutrition journey for our mothers and children,” El-Imam said. 

    “Today, this figure is down to 6.1 % of under-5 children in Kwara state, meaning an estimated 50,744 children need immediate support from wasting, while the national figure is 8.0%. Even with better indices than the national average, we want to bring down the figure.”

    The government realised that the wasting figure of 7.3% cited in the 2018 report was one that must be confronted head-on and directed the Ministry to tackle the multiple forms of malnutrition in the state, she said.

    The Commissioner said such commitment has enabled the state to implement sustained, high-impact, and cost-effective interventions at both the health facility and community levels.

    She said malnutrition is a nationwide problem, as exacerbated by security challenges, among other factors, pledging that the administration will continually mobilise resources to tackle malnutrition and put Kwara in a better standing in the area of malnutrition. 

    She added: “To improve the quality of nutrition service delivered in health facilities, the Ministry recently trained primary, secondary and tertiary health workers on Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition; and trained them on Growth Monitoring and Promotion.

    “We also trained them on the administration of Multiple Micronutrient Powder to children; we also trained Emergency Management Agency officials and LGA staff on mainstreaming nutrition for improved response.

    “To demonstrate the multisectoral interventions of this government in combating malnutrition, earlier this month, the Ministry of Health conducted the orientation of Agricultural extension workers on promoting food diversification and homestead gardening in the communities. 

    “Today, we are spreading the gospel all across the state with the new campaign tagged Eat a Rainbow. This has been in the works since last year.

    “As we all know, balanced nutrition, which involves consuming the right proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and other food classes, is essential to maintain health and prevent diseases. Together, food diversification and balanced nutrition form the pillars of a healthy population and a prosperous Kwara. This is what today’s Eat a Rainbow campaign hopes to achieve. The Eat a Rainbow campaign is about celebrating food diversity, enhancing dietary quality, and promoting community action. 

    “We are urging all Kwarans to embrace colourful, balanced diets. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Add groundnuts to your garri, mix moimoi with your pap, toss vegetables like efo tete and gbure into every meal.”

    Kolawole said malnutrition remains a profound public health challenge in Nigeria, which she noted can manifest undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and increasingly over nutrition.

    She listed the shift from traditional foods to western style fast foods, urbanisation, food advertising, ignorance, and poverty as some of the causes of malnutrition in Nigeria, urging parents and other stakeholders to consume food with balanced diets.